First Nations top priority with B.C. NDP government, includes treaty revenue
VICTORIA — British Columbia’s new premier has placed First Nations issues near the top of his government’s to-do list, committing his cabinet to transforming stalled treaty talks and negotiating revenue-sharing agreements.
The priority shift prompted a “hallelujah” Tuesday from one Indigenous leader.
John Horgan issued letters to each of his 22 cabinet ministers Monday, reminding them of his government’s promise to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the calls to action of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“As minister, you are responsible for moving forward on the calls to action and reviewing policies, programs, and legislation to determine how to bring the principles of the declaration into action in British Columbia,” said Horgan’s mandate letter to each minister.