ʔaq̓am is extremely disappointed in the narrow passing of Bills 14 and 15 in the Provincial legislature yesterday which will allow the province to unilaterally determine which infrastructure and development projects should be fast tracked in the name of “public interest”.
This decision contradicts BC’s commitments to reconciliation through the Declaration Act on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, violating the province’s own laws and our inherent rights. We have stated our willingness to work with the Government of British Columbia to craft legislation that will meet all of our needs but our requests have gone unanswered resulting in a strained and uncertain relationship between ʔaq̓am and B.C.
Nasuʔkin Cheryl Casimer and Council
