UBCM issued a press release this morning calling on the Province to pause progress on changes to the Heritage Conservation Act until meaningful consultation can be conducted with local governments.
“We want to be very clear, UBCM recognizes and supports the importance of archeological conservation, particularly as it relates to Indigenous values,” said UBCM President Trish Mandewo. “But while the Province took seriously its obligation to work with Indigenous groups in developing the legislation, engagement with local governments was largely disregarded.”
Hours later, Minister of Forestry Ravi Parmar announced his government’s decision to pause progress on the Act’s changes until mid-November. Speaking to reporters, he agreed there needed to be more consultation, but asserted that more consultation has occurred.
UBCM thanks the Province for pausing progress on changes to the Act, and looks forward to meaningful consultation with local governments.
A pre-scheduled session at Convention will take place on Thursday, 2:30-4:30 pm, to share information on proposed changes to the Act. A video recording will be available.