Thoughts on BC Politics and More

. . . . He said the plans (Land Act reforms) did not ultimately grant Indigenous people "veto" over public lands — as some critics have suggested — but they were announced without engaging industry. "There is a lot of confusion on what does 'veto' mean, what does 'consent' mean, and I think the real question is who has final say in this type of decision-making process?" Jutla said in an interview with CBC News. "We want to all work together to build the system that will work for everyone in a way that keeps the industry competitive but also respects Indigenous rights. "I hope we can work together" . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

. . . . The poll allowed British Columbians to give weight to key priorities. More than half say that the respect for reconciliation and the leadership shown by the government in including indigenous partners in decisions are both important to them. That said, concerns about further complicating resource development (which already necessitates the consideration of indigenous peoples' interests in relevant regions) and economic risks, are equally weighted by the population. ARI also found there is a sense the consultation timeline has been rushed. One-quarter (26%) say the current timeline offered by the government is acceptable. But more disagree, including half (48%) who want to see more consultation, extending deliberations into the fall or later this year, and one-quarter (27%) who want to kill the proposed changes entirely . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

. . . Private property is at risk. Outdoor recreation is threatened. Water access, mining, forestry and agriculture all now hang in the balance as the BC NDP threatens to quietly take away every land-use right that British Columbians currently enjoy . . . .  . . . . The government, the analysis goes, is about to quietly pass control over the vast majority of its land base to the First Nations who stewarded it for millennia. Except it isn’t . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

. . . . a BC United government will require transparency and timeliness in decision-making and full consultation about Public Land and end the NDP’s pattern of secrecy and non-disclosure agreements on land use matters. The NDP’s plans to provide veto power for five percent of the population over Public Land, which represents 95 percent of our province, has real implications for everyone . . . . CLICK HERE for the full commentary