Make no mistake, this change will have massive consequences for B.C.
Currently, British Columbians, through their elected provincial government, are the final decision-makers about what happens on public lands. According to the government, the “Land Act is the primary article of legislation that is used by the government to convey land to the public for community, industrial and business use.” That covers everything from how the land is used for communications and electricity transmission towers, to mining, tourism, agriculture and transportation infrastructure. The Act also covers lakes, rivers and the coastline, which impacts anything on water including future hydro projects.
In essence, if the government changes the Land Act according to its co-management plan, First Nations will become joint landlords of more than 90 per cent of B.C. and own veto power over any decision British Columbians want to make for our province.
Read: B.C. government’s plan to co-manage public land with First Nations will close province for business
