B.C. minister and Blueberry River First Nation say progress being made after court ruling on treaty rights
The British Columbia government says it's making progress as it responds to a B.C. Supreme Court ruling that found it breached a First Nation's treaty rights by approving industrial development without the nation's approval over many years.
A joint statement from Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin and Blueberry River First Nations Chief Marvin Yahey says they're negotiating an interim approach to industrial activity that's already been approved in the area of northeastern B.C.
The statement says the ruling, which requires a “rebalancing” of treaty rights, the economy and the environment, has led to uncertainty for industry and surrounding communities, and their goal is to finalize the approach for existing activities as soon as possible.
The court ruled in June that the B.C. government had breached the nation's rights under Treaty 8, signed more than 120 years ago, because it allowed development such as forestry and natural gas extraction without the nation's approval.
The joint statement says the court found the cumulative effects of industrial development approved by the province had impaired the ability of Blueberry River First Nations' members to “meaningfully continue an Indigenous way of life.”
The ruling gave the province six months to work with the nation to improve land management and the permitting process to respect the nation's rights under the treaty.
The province notes it is reaching out to other Treaty 8 First Nations that have expressed support for the court's decision to ensure they're part of the process to heal the land and develop a new approach to approving industrial activity there.
“We are committed to creating a balanced path in the territory, one that provides environmental sustainability, that respects and protects Treaty 8 rights and Indigenous culture along with stable economic activity and employment,” says the joint statement released Friday.
The B.C. Supreme Court trial heard that over 84 per cent of Blueberry River First Nations' territory is within 500 metres of an industrial disturbance.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump making 'joke' about Canada becoming 51st state is 'reassuring': Ambassador Hillman
Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. insists it’s a good sign U.S. president-elect Donald Trump feels 'comfortable' joking with Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mexico president says Canada has a 'very serious' fentanyl problem
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada's culture and its framing of border issues.
Quebec doctors who refuse to stay in public system for 5 years face $200K fine per day
Quebec's health minister has tabled a bill that would force new doctors trained in the province to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebec's public health network.
Freeland says it was 'right choice' for her not to attend Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says it was 'the right choice' for her not to attend the surprise dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Friday night.
'Sleeping with the enemy': Mistrial in B.C. sex assault case over Crown dating paralegal
The B.C. Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a man convicted of sexual assault after he learned his defence lawyer's paralegal was dating the Crown prosecutor during his trial.
Bad blood? Taylor Swift ticket dispute settled by B.C. tribunal
A B.C. woman and her daughter will be attending one of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour shows in Vancouver – but only after a tribunal intervened and settled a dispute among friends over tickets.
Eminem's mother Debbie Nelson, whose rocky relationship fuelled the rapper's lyrics, dies at age 69
Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem whose rocky relationship with her son was known widely through his hit song lyrics, has died. She was 69.
NDP won't support Conservative non-confidence motion that quotes Singh
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion.
Canadians warned to use caution in South Korea after martial law declared then lifted
Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country's president imposed an hours-long period of martial law.