Whereas the Province has committed to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples UNDRIP as the framework for reconciliation, as described in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act; And whereas the Province and UBCM have signed a memorandum of understanding supporting collaboration to advance reconciliation; And whereas the Province and UBCM acknowledge that local government constitutes an order of government with a unique and special interest in Indigenous partnership development: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM requests that the Province support local governments to transform their approach to reconciliation with the development of a distinctions-based toolkit for UNDRIP implementation and associated funding.
Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Thank you for your resolution requesting the development of a distinctions based toolkit for implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples UNDRIP and associated funding. The Province and UBCM renewed the Memorandum of Understanding on Engagement with UBCM and Local Governments on Treaty Agreements, Non Treaty Agreements and Indigenous Initiatives MOU in 2024. The renewed MOU reaffirms the shared commitment to collaborative engagement in advancing reconciliation and acknowledges local governments as an order of government with unique and special interests in Indigenous partnership development. Under the renewed agreement, the Province and UBCM have established a joint working group, overseen by a steering committee, to develop and implement a shared workplan that will guide coordinated engagement related to UNDRIP and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Through this joint working group, the Province and UBCM are advancing a structured, collaborative process to strengthen engagement practices and to identify the supports, tools and guidance needed for local governments to participate effectively in reconciliation. The Province continues to forecast large deficits for this fiscal year and over the remainder of the fiscal plan and is actively taking measures to manage expenditures. As such the Province is not in a position at this time to commit to the funding requested. However, as committed to in the Provinces Distinctions-Based Approach Primer, the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation is developing guidance for BC Public Service employees on the practical application of the Provinces distinctions-based approach. Subject to necessary approvals, the guidance may be shared with other entities, including local governments, to support appropriate distinctions-based approach implementation. The Province looks forward to continued partnership with UBCM as this work progresses.