Whereas the recent BC Supreme Court decision in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada, 2025 BCSC 1490 has created significant uncertainty for residents, businesses, and local governments across BC, setting precedents with broad implications while highlighting the absence of modern agreements that clarify and confirm BCs Indigenous Peoples Aboriginal and treaty rights; And whereas local governments were not involved in the negotiations preceding the court decision, leaving their interests unaddressed; And whereas modern treaties that clarify and confirm these rights would benefit all communities in British Columbia: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province of BC to pursue the completion of modern treaties with BCs Indigenous Peoples that clarify and confirm their treaty and Aboriginal rights; And be it further resolved that UBCM call on the Province of BC to commit to consulting affected local governments on draft agreements that might impact the delivery of municipal services, the jurisdictions, authorities andor interests of local governments, prior to the Province of BC considering the ratification of these modern agreements or treaties so that local government interests can be considered and addressed appropriately.
