First Nations leaders and environmental advocates are mounting a last-ditch effort to convince Premier David Eby to pull the NDP government鈥檚 controversial infrastructure bill before a forced vote in the legislature that must happen no later than Wednesday (May 28).
鈥淭he era of trust between Premier Eby and First Nations chiefs is over,鈥� Tsartlip First Nation Chief Don Tom said at a news conference on Monday (May 26) morning held by several First Nations chiefs and environmental organizations, Stand.Earth and Ecojustice.
Bill 15, or the Infrastructure Projects Act, would expedite permitting for hospitals and schools, as well as provincially significant housing and resource projects. A closure notice has been given for the bill, meaning it must come to a final vote by Wednesday evening.
鈥淭his week is the last opportunity for MLAs to reconsider passing Bill 15 in its current rushed and poorly drafted form,鈥� said Andhra Azevedo, a lawyer for Ecojustice.
This bill and a similar one to expedite energy projects, Bill 14, have received staunch opposition from First Nations leaders and local government officials who say the legislation would undermine their roles in permitting processes.
Chief Mungo Knox, of the Kwakwa瘫ka瘫始wakw Kwagu鈥櫯� community of Tsaxis in Fort Rupert, said Monday the bill would bypass the environmental assessment process, as well as consultation.
Tom said he decided to vote for the NDP despite being a longtime B.C. Greens supporter, but 鈥渢he actions of the NDP right now are not what I voted for."
Tom said the bill has 鈥渘o clear limits, no binding safeguards, no commitment to co-governance with the rights holders." He added Eby's approach is "Trust us, bro" and called Eby a "snake-oil salesman."
Tom is also the vice-president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and has taken part in several meetings with Premier David Eby and First Nations leaders.
鈥淢r. Eby鈥檚 been dismissive,鈥� Tom said of the meetings. 鈥淗asn't been too inclined to hear our concerns, to make time with us, to hear what we have to say.鈥�
There was another briefing for First Nations leaders on Monday morning. Hugh Braker, the political executive for the First Nations Summit, said he had attended the meeting, and First Nations leaders were told it is too late to 鈥渢inker鈥� with the bill.
Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma has defended Bill 15, saying consultation will be done as the government crafts regulations using the powers given by this legislation. The regulations are where 鈥渢he rubber hits the road鈥� with this legislation, Ma said repeatedly in recent weeks.
On Thursday (May 22), the Union of B.C. Municipalities and the First Nations Leadership Council held a virtual joint news conference also calling for the bill to be withdrawn. The groups referred to the bill as overreaching and rushed.
B.C. Greens have also said they won't be supporting the bill.
