Government of B.C. Government of B.C.
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
  • Skip to site search
  • Skip to side bar
  • Skip to footer

BC Gov News

  • Home
  • Ministries
  • Sectors
  • Connect
  • Subscribe
  • News Archive
  • Live Webcast
  • Office of the Premier
  • Advanced Education and Skills Training
  • Agriculture and Food
  • Attorney General
  • Children and Family Development
  • Citizens' Services
  • Education and Child Care
  • Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
  • Environment and Climate Change Strategy
  • Finance
  • Forests
  • Health
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
  • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
  • Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
  • Labour
  • Land, Water and Resource Stewardship
  • Mental Health and Addictions
  • Municipal Affairs
  • Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Transportation and Infrastructure

close menu Office of the Premier

Premier's statement on five years of delivering results for people

July 18, 2022 10:00 AM
Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement to mark the five-year anniversary of forming a government that puts people first:
  Read More

Post-secondary education expanding for students on the Westshore

August 3, 2022 11:00 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THE PREMIER
More from the Premier
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Premier's Bio

close menu Advanced Education and Skills Training

Post-secondary education expanding for students on the Westshore

August 3, 2022 11:00 AM
Post-secondary education expanding for students on the Westshore
A new collaborative post-secondary campus will be built in one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities so more students can access education close to home for in-demand jobs.
  Read More

Investing in mass timber education supports clean growth

August 15, 2022 8:45 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Agriculture and Food

Pop the cork! Kelowna vineyard wins major national wine award

August 4, 2022 2:30 PM
A family-owned winery with a strong commitment to organic farming is the 2022 WineAlign National Wine Awards winery of the year.
  Read More

New funding supports farmers, takes action on climate resiliency

July 27, 2022 9:00 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Attorney General

New Kitimat homes provide safe housing for women, children

August 8, 2022 1:15 PM
Women and children leaving violence will soon have access to safe and secure homes as construction begins on a 44-unit housing development in Kitimat.
  Read More

Supportive homes for youth coming to Kamloops

August 4, 2022 1:45 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Children and Family Development

B.C. expands early childhood education dual-credit programs for high school students

August 4, 2022 8:00 AM
More students in grades 11 and 12 will be able to earn both high school and post-secondary credits toward careers in early childhood education with the introduction of 30 new dual-credit programs at school districts throughout B.C.
  Read More

Process begins to select family connections centres

May 10, 2022 4:08 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Citizens' Services

Expansion of cellular coverage makes driving safer in the Cariboo

August 9, 2022 11:30 AM
Cellular coverage is available for the community of Wells, northwest of Barkerville, bringing safer driving conditions to that section of Highway 26 and the Jack-of-Clubs rest area.
  Read More

Fast, reliable internet, cell coverage coming to Nass Valley

July 12, 2022 2:30 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Education and Child Care

Early childhood educator bursaries support career growth for key professionals

August 3, 2022 9:04 AM
Early childhood educator bursaries support career growth for key professionals
More early childhood educators (ECEs) are furthering their education goals with financial support from the ECE Education Support Fund.
  Read More

B.C. expands early childhood education dual-credit programs for high school students

August 4, 2022 8:00 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

Rebate improvements make electric vehicles more accessible

August 2, 2022 1:00 PM
The Province is improving accessibility to electric vehicles (EVs) by increasing maximum rebate amounts and ensuring they are going to people who need them most.
  Read More

Minister’s statement on Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference 2022

July 6, 2022 7:30 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Funding boost gives used plastics new lease on life

August 9, 2022 9:45 AM
Group photo of four people at an announcement
A $10-million investment in the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund will help grow made-in-B.C. solutions to reduce plastic pollution, create new products and increase job opportunities.
  Read More

Rebate improvements make electric vehicles more accessible

August 2, 2022 1:00 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Finance

Supporting sexual-assault survivors informs work on gender-based violence

August 1, 2022 12:45 PM
As part of the Province’s work to develop an action plan to end gender-based violence, staff at the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre (VSAC) presented its trauma informed, wraparound supports and services available in Greater Victoria.
  Read More

B.C. enhances consumer protection for homebuyers

July 21, 2022 9:30 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Forests

Wildfire activity in B.C. will continue through August

August 4, 2022 10:45 AM
British Columbians should remain alert to the threat of wildfire throughout August as conditions remain hot and dry.
  Read More

B.C., shíshálh Nation will negotiate joint decision-making agreement

August 2, 2022 10:21 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Health

B.C. encourages parents to register children under 5 for COVID-19 vaccine

July 14, 2022 2:05 PM
B.C. encourages parents to register children under 5 for COVID-19 vaccine
Approximately 208,000 eligible infants and children in British Columbia between six months and four years of age will soon be able to receive vaccine protection against COVID-19.
  Read More

Vancouver Coastal Health welcomes back 283 hospital food-service workers

July 22, 2022 11:30 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

B.C., shíshálh Nation will negotiate joint decision-making agreement

August 2, 2022 10:21 AM
shíshálh and BC to negotiate landmark shared decision-making agreement
The shíshálh Nation and the Province of British Columbia are starting negotiations on the first joint decision-making agreement to be negotiated under Section 7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
  Read More

First Nations clean-energy projects funded on Vancouver Island

July 28, 2022 12:36 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

B.C.’s highest honour recognizes 14 British Columbians

August 1, 2022 6:15 AM
B.C.’s highest honour recognizes 14 British Columbians
Fourteen exceptional people will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest form of recognition.
  Read More

Outstanding people recognized for service during the pandemic

March 22, 2022 2:30 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News

close menu Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation

Minister’s statement on July’s Labour Force Survey results

August 5, 2022 8:30 AM
Minister’s statement on July’s Labour Force Survey results
Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for July 2022:
  Read More

Province launching new centre for agritech innovation

July 21, 2022 9:35 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Labour

B.C. minimum wage increases June 1 for lowest paid workers

May 31, 2022 8:30 AM
B.C. minimum wage increases June 1 for lowest paid workers
As of June 1, 2022, B.C.’s lowest paid workers will get a pay boost as the minimum wage increases from $15.20 to $15.65 per hour, which is the highest of any province.
  Read More

Report received on successorship, transfer of timber harvesting rights

July 28, 2022 1:00 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Land, Water and Resource Stewardship

B.C., shíshálh Nation will negotiate joint decision-making agreement

August 2, 2022 10:21 AM
shíshálh and BC to negotiate landmark shared decision-making agreement
The shíshálh Nation and the Province of British Columbia are starting negotiations on the first joint decision-making agreement to be negotiated under Section 7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
  Read More

Conservation Officer Service achieves largest-ever invasive mussels decontamination

July 9, 2022 9:00 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Mental Health and Addictions

Settlement reached with Purdue Pharma (Canada) for opioid damages

June 29, 2022 9:08 AM
Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma (Canada) (Purdue Canada) has agreed to a first of its kind settlement in Canada resulting from B.C.-led efforts to recover health-care costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.
  Read More

Investment enhances mental-health services in Greater Victoria

July 28, 2022 12:00 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Municipal Affairs

B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians

June 29, 2022 10:15 AM
B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians
Ukrainian citizens arriving in B.C. under the federal Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) can now apply for hardship assistance from the B.C. government.
  Read More

B.C. investing in healthy northern communities

August 3, 2022 8:00 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Public Safety and Solicitor General

Province launches direct payment for evacuees

July 27, 2022 11:00 AM
The Province is launching upgrades to Emergency Support Services (ESS), including direct payment for evacuees to help meet their basic needs, including food and clothing.
  Read More

Survey shows significant decrease in illegal cannabis store use

August 2, 2022 8:30 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Supporting co-ops will deliver more services to British Columbians

July 26, 2022 11:15 AM
Supporting co-ops will deliver more services to British Columbians
A new investment of $2 million will support the development and growth of British Columbia’s co-operative businesses, while expanding services for people who use them.
  Read More

Provincial funding helps grow a more food secure future

August 5, 2022 10:00 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

Province seeks nominees for Medal of Good Citizenship

July 28, 2022 9:30 AM
Province seeks nominees for Medal of Good Citizenship
British Columbians are encouraged to nominate their fellow citizens who have made outstanding contributions through exceptional service to their communities for this year's Medal of Good Citizenship.
  Read More

Province, viaSport partner to take abuse out of the game

July 6, 2022 2:00 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio

close menu Transportation and Infrastructure

Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain

July 14, 2022 10:45 AM
Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain
The first rapid transit project south of the Fraser River in 30 years reached a new milestone with the release of the business case and formal approval of provincial funding for the project.
  Read More

Public invited to share input on Taylor Bridge's future

August 9, 2022 8:45 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio
  • Home
  • Ministries
    • Office of the Premier
    • Advanced Education and Skills Training
    • Agriculture and Food
    • Attorney General
    • Children and Family Development
    • Citizens' Services
    • Education and Child Care
    • Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
    • Environment and Climate Change Strategy
    • Finance
    • Forests
    • Health
    • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
    • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
    • Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
    • Labour
    • Land, Water and Resource Stewardship
    • Mental Health and Addictions
    • Municipal Affairs
    • Public Safety and Solicitor General
    • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Sectors
  • Connect
  • Subscribe
  • News Archive
  • Live Webcast

Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

OPINION-EDITORIAL: As K'ómoks signs AIP, treaty process is going strong

Share

More from this Ministry
Honourable Murray Rankin

Honourable Murray Rankin

Honourable Murray Rankin

Read Bio

Contact

Email: IRR.Minister@gov.bc.ca

close menu Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

B.C., shíshálh Nation will negotiate joint decision-making agreement

August 2, 2022 10:21 AM
shíshálh and BC to negotiate landmark shared decision-making agreement
The shíshálh Nation and the Province of British Columbia are starting negotiations on the first joint decision-making agreement to be negotiated under Section 7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
  Read More

First Nations clean-energy projects funded on Vancouver Island

July 28, 2022 12:36 PM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Print

Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

British Columbia News

OPINION-EDITORIAL: As K'ómoks signs AIP, treaty process is going strong

https://news.gov.bc.ca/01745

Share

Factsheet

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 1:00 PM

Share

Factsheet

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 1:00 PM

More from this Ministry

  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Visit Ministry Website

Featured Topics

  • COVID-19 & First Nations
  • Consulting First Nations
  • Indigenous People
  • Reconciliation
  • First Nations Negotiations
  • Economic Development

Featured Services

  • Guide to Indigenous Organizations and Services
  • First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund
  • First Citizens Fund
  • Elder Services
  • Youth Services

By Mary Polak
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
March 28, 2012

VICTORIA - 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.

It is a milestone for K'ómoks and provides a framework that will eventually be developed into a Final Agreement.

Treaties and non-treaty agreements generate jobs for families and provide opportunities for First Nations and non-First Nation communities alike. They bring certainty to the land base, facilitate investment and build economic independence for First Nations. The treaty will do for the K'ómoks people and surrounding communities what it is doing for those communities that have gone before K'ómoks.

April 3 marks the third anniversary of the Tsawwassen treaty. In the past three years, Chief Kim Baird has secured significant investment and commitment to create jobs for Tsawwassen families and their neighbours. On the treaty's effective date, Tsawwassen First Nation made history when it became a member of the Greater Vancouver Regional District and Greater Vancouver Water District.

On April 1, 2011, I stood alongside hundreds of members of the five Maa-nulth Nations as they cheered - optimistic and bold about their future under treaty. A year later, Maa-nulth will pass the first anniversary of their treaty. Two Maa-nulth nations, Huu-ay-aht and Ucluelet, are about to join the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. Huu-ay-aht has also signed B.C.'s first-ever First Nations' woodland licence, giving them further economic opportunities.

Twelve years have passed since the Nisga'a Nation, north of Terrace, signed their final agreement - B.C.'s oldest modern-day treaty. The Nisga'a are still breaking new ground - exploring opportunities to grant their people individual property rights, and negotiating an agreement with BC Hydro that provides financial benefits, job opportunities for their members and an agreement to continue consultation on the Northwest Transmission Line.

With agreements in place, these First Nations are now focused on their future outside of the Indian Act. Anniversaries aside, numerous other First Nations across B.C. are engaged in the treaty process, with several reaching milestones in the past year.

Last June, B.C. passed legislation to ratify the Yale First Nation Final Agreement. We expect this treaty to come into effect in about two years. In October, Canada, B.C. and Tla'amin Nation (Sliammon First Nation) initialled their Final Agreement. The community will vote on their treaty in June.

The process of reaching a treaty is lengthy, and we realize we can't expect First Nations to wait indefinitely for economic benefits. That is why, increasingly, we are looking at Incremental Treaty Agreements (ITAs) and non-treaty agreements as a way to bring economic and social benefits to First Nations communities more quickly. The BC Jobs Plan includes a commitment to reach 10 new non-treaty agreements by 2015.

Reconciliation Protocols, Strategic Engagement Agreements and other non-treaty agreements are creating real progress in the short term. They allow First Nations to begin realizing the benefits of shared economic agreements with the Province. Perhaps most importantly, these types of agreements are building blocks that can be used to construct future treaties and other more comprehensive forms of reconciliation.

B.C.'s innovative approach is successfully providing benefits on the road to treaty. An ITA with Klahoose First Nation on Cortes Island allowed them to purchase a Tree Farm Licence that supports jobs for their members and neighbouring communities.

The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in Tofino is creating economic development opportunities, including a resort development and a clean energy project, with land they received through their ITA. The approach is working, and we are currently near to announcing a number of new ITAs.

B.C.'s treaty process is alive and well, but it's also important to recognize the progress that's being made beyond, and before, agreements-in-principle and final agreements. The work we are doing with First Nations will ensure that together, we can achieve the full economic potential of our resource rich province for all B.C. families.


Contact:
Maria Wilkie
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211


https://news.gov.bc.ca/01745

Related Articles

B.C., shíshálh Nation will negotiate joint decision-making agreement

August 2, 2022 10:21 AM

First Nations clean-energy projects funded on Vancouver Island

July 28, 2022 12:36 PM

Partners, stakeholders identified for engagement during shíshálh negotiations

August 15, 2022 2:00 PM
BC Gov News

Connect with the Ministry

Photos

View the Ministry's latest photos on Flickr.

Videos

Watch the Ministry's latest videos on YouTube.

Sound Bites

Listen to the Ministry's latest audio clips on SoundCloud.

Connect with Us:

  • BC Gov
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds

  • Home
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Contact Us
  • Connect
View all Social Media