I am writing you today to express my disappointment about a letter to the editor published Wednesday, March 27, in your online edition.

A key part of the BC Jobs Plan is government's commitment to improving opportunities and resources for First Nations to participate in resource activity in their traditional territory.

This past week, B.C. celebrated an agreement with the Kaska Dena Council in northwestern B.C. that will provide greater certainty about how resource development can proceed in more than 10 per cent of the province.

On March 24, I had the honour of joining representatives of the K'ómoks First Nation, federal minister John Duncan and other dignitaries to sign the K'ómoks First Nation's Agreement-in-Principle.

As 2011 draws to a close, Canadians have been confronted by stark examples of poverty in First Nations communities. We've also seen that solutions do not come easily.

There is no more urgent or important goal for our government than ensuring British Columbians have access to the jobs and other economic opportunities needed to support their families.