Full Breakdown
BC NDP Faces Scrutiny Over Secret Land-Deal Proposal and DRIPA Debate
By Drooid · · How we work
Confidential Land Deal and Compensation Proposal
Documents obtained by *Northern Beat* reveal that the British Columbia NDP government is preparing a legislative option to alter compensation rules for roughly 400 parcels of Crown land slated for transfer to First Nations. The proposal would adjust how compensation is calculated in the limited cases where transferred lands carry existing tenure licences. Only about half of the parcels are expected to have any forestry impact. The government has not yet secured cabinet approval; the engagement was paused when the provincial election was called. Forestry companies were briefed under non-disclosure agreements. The policy was absent from the NDP’s election platform.
Background on Crown Land Transfers and DRIPA
The land transfers are framed as fulfilling existing treaties and the province’s reconciliation commitments, some dating back decades. The process is governed by the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), which requires provincial laws to align with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, an annual reporting mandate, and an action plan for implementation. The BC Treaty Commission describes DRIPA as the mechanism ensuring legal consistency with Indigenous rights.
Official Statements & Responses
Premier David Eby argued that the compensation adjustment aims to reduce the “significant fiscal cost” of transferring tenures to First Nations, describing the change as a taxpayer-saving measure. He emphasized that partnership with Indigenous peoples underpins major projects such as LNG Canada Phase II and the work of the Major Projects Office. The government is also appealing recent court decisions to safeguard private property rights in the province.
Verbatim Quote
- “The reality is, is that we are more divided on this topic than ever before. There has to be a better path forward and that is through respect and relations and certainly partnerships with First Nations in this province.” — Lorne Doerkson