Citing a need to take more time to better listen to British Columbians, the B.C. government today announced it is scrapping proposed amendments to the Land Act, which if approved would’ve provided a mechanism for government and First Nations to make land-use decisions together.

“Over the past several weeks, I have had the opportunity to discuss proposed amendments to the Land Act with over 650 representatives of stakeholder groups representing tens of thousands of British Columbians, from mining, forestry, oil and gas and clean energy, cattle ranchers, to adventure tourism operators, snowmobilers, hunters and anglers, and many others,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

“From the very beginning of this process, I promised that we would listen and take the time to get any changes right. That our focus was to make it easier to work together with First Nations and provide more opportunities for better jobs and a stronger future.

“In conversations with these groups, many were surprised to learn that the claims being made about the proposed legislation by some were not true and that there would be no impacts to tenures, renewals, private properties or access to Crown land.

“Some figures have gone to extremes to knowingly mislead the public about what the proposed legislation would do. They have sought to divide communities and spread hurt and distrust. They wish to cling to an approach that leads only to the division, court battles and uncertainty that have held us back,” Cullen noted.

“Throughout these conversations, the vast majority have told us they want reconciliation to work and they want to be partners in this work to create opportunity for First Nations, businesses and all communities through working together.

“I’ve also heard that we need to take the time to further engage with people and demonstrate the real benefits of shared decision-making in action. We want to get this right and move forward together.

“For that reason, our government has decided not to proceed with proposed amendments to the Land Act.

“We will continue to engage with people and businesses, and do the work to show how working together, First Nations and non-First Nations, can help bring stability and predictability, and move us all forward.”

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon has criticized government for approaching this process too quietly, calling the proposed changes to the Land Act “flawed and dangerous. The NDP government’s attempt to bypass public engagement and scrutiny with this rushed consultation process should raise concerns among all British Columbians.

“However, let’s not be naïve — today’s announcement does not mark the end of the NDP’s hidden agenda, as their own statement suggests they plan to resume these changes at the next opportunity,” Falcon said.

“Our concerns are especially heightened by this government’s past actions, such as last summer’s closure of Joffre Lakes Park, which continue to raise questions about the NDP’s true intentions and underscore a pattern of unilateral decision-making we’ve come to expect from David Eby.”

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