British Columbia Premier David Eby says he is willing to risk his government to suspend parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) for up to three years.
He says the province plans to pass a law to pause sections of DRIPA that could create legal problems, especially after recent court rulings affecting mining and land rights. Eby called the move the “least invasive” way to protect the province while it appeals a key case to the Supreme Court of Canada.
However, First Nations leaders strongly oppose the plan. Sources at a recent meeting say there was “complete opposition” to the proposal, and some leaders have warned of possible legal action.
The government says other parts of DRIPA will stay in place, and the pause would give time to review the law and make changes later.
