Whereas local governments within British Columbia are required to undertake major construction projects to provide services such as roads, community sewer systems and community water systems to service properties within their jurisdictions; And whereas these works involve the excavation of lands, which may include First Nations lands, during the construction phase of such projects; And whereas the provincial Heritage Conservation Act requires that all archaeological sites and findings be recorded and documented in accordance with the legislation and the costs incurred by local governments to comply with the legislation are prohibitive: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of BC to consider providing specific funding of the expenditures borne by local governments in all aspects of recording and documentation of archaeological findings in accordance with the provincial Heritage Conservation Act in order to enhance government-to-government relationships with First Nations.
Ministry of Forests The Ministry of Forests thanks UBCM for the request to consider specific funding to support expenditures relating to the recording and documentation of archaeological findings under Heritage Conservation Act HCA permits resulting from public works projects. The Archaeology Branch the Branch is the agency responsible for HCA permit issuance in the Ministry of Forests. The Branch understands that costs for archaeological works under permit can be prohibitive and difficult to control. The Branch also understands that reconciliation and relationships with First Nations with asserted rights within local government jurisdictions is a shared priority of the Province and of local governments. Current proposed revisions to the Heritage Conservation Act are intended to make permitting faster and easier, help people and communities rebuild quicker after disasters such as wildfires and floods, strengthen the role of First Nations in decision-making about their heritage and ancestors, and protect heritage more effectively, reducing the risk of accidental damage to sacred or other significant sites. It is expected that the proposals to reduce the overall number of permits required, including the ability to modify permitting requirements during certain circumstances, in conjunction with proposals for greater regulation of the archaeology profession will enable better cost control tools to support proponents, including local governments. The Branch takes the UBCM proposal for dedicated archaeology funding for local governments seriously. While some funding avenues for local governments and First Nations already exist, we recognize the need to do further work to enable better cost controls and planning when it comes to archaeological work in BC, and to look at additional funding tools that may help provide longer-term solutions. We will look forward to engaging more with UBCM on this subject in the coming year. In addition to UBCMs own Regional Community to Community Program C2C, there are other funding sources that may be considered. The Heritage Legacy Fund HLF is administered by Heritage BC and has Heritage Planning and Indigenous Partnership funding streams, both of which can be accessed by local governments and First Nations. Application intake for the HLF opens in July 2026. While currently paused, the Provincial Infrastructure Planning Grant Program has been available to local governments to help with updating or developing long-term comprehensive plans. Finally, local governments with an interest in collaboration with First Nations around cultural heritage management may contact the Archaeology Branch directly to discuss potential strategies for accessing funding programs.