‘It’s a good day’ : Blueberry River First Nations signs historic agreement with B.C. government
The B.C. government and Blueberry River First Nation have signed an historic agreement, giving the nation more say over how their lands will be used in natural resource projects.
The agreement responds to a Supreme Court ruling in June 2021 that said the province violated the nation's treaty rights by allowing development that over the years has negatively impacted their land, which is north of Fort St. John.
It's the first time a case has explored the cumulative impacts of projects.
The deal sets out compensation, reparations and a way forward for new natural resource projects. It also sets limits on new oil and gas projects in terms of how much land can be disturbed. The goal will be to reduce the blast radius of such projects.
Wildlife protections will be implemented using the expertise of the Blueberry River nation A process is being developed where both the nation and the province will make land-use decisions. B.C. also agrees to protect old growth in the region, and reduce timber harvesting
Chief Judy Desjarlais, of the Blueberry River First Nations, was emotional after signing the agreement.
"It's been a long road but it means a brighter future for our children, grandchildren and next seven generations," Desjarlais said at a news conference in Prince George.
The Blueberry River First Nations launched its legal case in 2015. The crux of the argument was that ongoing development no longer allowed the nation to live off the land, a right established in Treaty 9 signed in 1899.
Desjarlais went on to say the nation's land was "almost cleared out" due to clear cutting and development and no one was listening to elders who said they were unable to hunt and fish. It got to the point, she added, that the nation and elders decided they had to speak up, despite being told for years that their concerns would fall on deaf ears.
"It's been a long battle," added Desjarlais, saying members of the nation watched as the land they depend up was broken apart piece by piece.
NO LONGER BUSINESS AS USUAL
The deal doesn't limit how much oil and gas activity can be undertaken, but it does limit how much new land can be disturbed.
Premier David Eby said the message to the industry was that they'd have to be "innovative."
"The oil and gas industry is going to have to find ways to work with less land disturbance. the agreement is not a cap on production it's a cap on land disturbance," Eby added.
Izwan Ismail, the CEO of Petronas Canada, called the deal an important step. He said, through conversations with indigenous leaders, the company has come to understand the need to heal the land.
He also spoke about the LNG Canada project, saying work on that can now proceed. The project relies on gas fracked in northeastern B.C. where the nation is located.
There's an expectation other nations may also sign on to similar agreements.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease
An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease.
Canada Post quarterly loss tops $300M as strike hits second week -- and rivals step in
Canada Post saw hundreds of millions of dollars drain out of its coffers last quarter, due largely to its dwindling share of the parcels market, while an ongoing strike continues to batter its bottom line.
'Immoral depravity': Two men convicted in case of frozen migrant family in Manitoba
A jury has found two men guilty on human smuggling charges in a case where a family from India froze to death in Manitoba while trying to walk across the Canada-U.S. border.
Prime Minister Trudeau attends Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Toronto with family
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a Swiftie. His office confirmed to CTV News Toronto that he and members of his family are attending the penultimate show of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Toronto on Friday evening.
Trump supporters review-bomb B.C. floral shop by accident
A small business owner from B.C.'s Fraser Valley is speaking out after being review-bombed by confused supporters of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump this week.
Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles recalled in Canada over power loss risk
Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles from Kia, Hyundai and Genesis are being recalled in Canada over a potential power loss issue that can increase the risk of a crash.
Trump chooses Bessent to be Treasury secretary and Vought as top budget official
President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that he'll nominate hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, an advocate for deficit reduction, to serve as his next treasury secretary. Trump also said he would nominate Russel Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.