Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Massive NDP Land Transfers Could Total Up to 24 Million Acres ~~ BC Conservatives

Recent media reports and government disclosures reveal that up to 24 million acres of BC Crown land and more than $1 trillion in mineral wealth could be up for grabs, stripping elected representatives of decision-making power and undermining democracy.

Today’s Public Accounts, released by NDP Finance Minister Brenda Bailey, list 334,643 acres as provincial Crown land obligations under treaty agreements. The sweeping commitments include 113,147 acres to Kitsumkalum, 87,203 acres to Kitselas, 34,461 acres to Wuikinuxv and 23,411 acres to In-Shuck-ch.

Media reports have also revealed that the NDP plans to hand over up to 96,000 square kilometres (23.7 million acres, larger than the country of Portugal) of northwest BC—and $1.28 trillion in mineral wealth—to the Tahltan Nation based on unproven land claims. Why wasn't this massive transfer included in today's Public Accounts list? Furthermore, we learned that this government is also transferring 30 Crown land parcels to the Te’mexw Treaty Association, including prime Victoria waterfront property and Hatley Castle, Sooke Mountain, and Discovery Island provincial parks.

“The NDP is bypassing the public and eroding democratic oversight to hand over BC’s land," said Steve Kooner, Shadow Minister for Attorney General. 

“This is a massive amount of land based on unsettled territorial claims with virtually no public consultation. The NDP accepted the Tahltan's territorial claims without any pushback, even though they were not legally settled. And the Te’mexw Treaty Association is under no legal obligation to continue to allow public access to their newly acquired parks. We are again demanding the Legislature be recalled immediately to repeal DRIPA.”

“The lack of public consultation and oversight on the land file is shocking,” said Scott McInnis, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Relations. 

“British Columbians should not have to learn from the media or a back page of the Public Accounts to be alerted to these undemocratic land transfers. The Aboriginal Title Transparency Act I introduced last spring would prevent British Columbians from remaining in the dark about these decisions, and I encourage the government to act in the public interest and pass this legislation come fall.”

Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia urged for an immediate halt to land transfers.

“Handing over public assets at this vast scale in secret deals is a direct betrayal of our democracy that treats British Columbians, who own this province, as non-existent,” said Findlay. 

“And what is worse, this is only the beginning. There are still over 150 Indigenous bands in BC still to be dealt with. There will be nothing left of BC by the time they are finished. The NDP must immediately halt all land transfers, recall the Legislature to repeal DRIPA, repeal these unfounded agreements, and start the process over this time with full transparency instead of these backroom handovers.” 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BC Conservatives Point to Warning Signs in BC’s Economy

While Canada posted modest job gains in July, warning lights are still flashing in British Columbia. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, leaving too many first-time jobseekers shut out of the workforce. BC also lost 3,400 public administration jobs in July, likely as temporary Census positions ended. “BC's jobs divide remains stark. Unemployment is far higher in business-driven communities like Kelowna (9.3%) and Abbotsford-Mission (8.3%) than in Victoria (5.0%). Government should be focused on creating the conditions for private-sector investment and job growth,” said Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Shadow Minister for Economic Development. “We need an economy where young people can find work, businesses can hire, and every region has the opportunity to prosper.” This comes as BC faces five straight quarters where more businesses are closing than opening, an NDP cabinet rift over job-creating projects like Tilbury LNG, and fresh signs that even the province's to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper to step down for Conservative Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to run in a by-election

Deputy Whip and MLA Reann Gasper has informed the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia of her decision to step down as MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, creating an opportunity for Conservative Party of British Columbia Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to seek the seat in a forthcoming by-election. Gasper said the decision was made carefully and deliberately, with the future of British Columbia firmly in mind. Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper “This is a decision I have made after a great deal of careful consideration, and I believe it is the right decision for me, for our Party, and for the work ahead,” said MLA Gasper. “It has been a privilege to represent the people of Abbotsford-Mission, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me. I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside my colleagues in the Conservative Caucus and to contribute to our leadership team.” “I have confidence in Kerry-Lynne, in her leadership, and in her ability to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Okanagan Farmers Face NDP-Created Water Crisis ~~ BC Conservatives

Okanagan farmers are facing a water crisis as government-imposed restrictions threaten to kill their crops and destroy one of B.C.’s most important agricultural industries. In perhaps the most water-rich province in the country, our farmers have been left high and dry by the NDP government. For nine weeks, Okanagan and Shuswap farmers have proposed solutions, only to be met with NDP foot-dragging. Now forest fires have come to these regions as they are simultaneously reckoning with a water crisis that has been made worse through years of government inaction. Vernon-area farms have lost 70 percent of their water, while Kelowna and Summerland growers face severe restrictions. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue. Ian Paton, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, said the NDP is once again forcing farmers to pay for its own failure to plan. "Farmers and ranchers must be listened to when decisions affecting their livelihoods are made, and under the NDP, they aren’t," said...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more