Summary

• The Province has released the 2025-26 Declaration Act Annual Report
• The seventh annual report details efforts being made to implement the Declaration Act Action Plan in B.C.
• Notable highlights include expanding affordable housing, opening Indigenous-led health facilities and building partnerships to move projects forward
• This year, a summary report has been produced alongside detailed reporting to provide a better overview of implementation

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The 2025-26 Declaration Act Annual Report highlights the ongoing, collective efforts being made by the Province and Indigenous Peoples to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which is helping build a better future for everyone in British Columbia.

The report covers the period from April 1, 2025, until March 31, 2026, and details work underway on 84 of the 89 specific actions of the Declaration Act Action Plan, as well as progress about advancing modern treaties through the Shared Priorities Framework and alignment of provincial laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Province is working shoulder-to-shoulder with Indigenous Peoples on partnerships that are:

• enhancing education and health-care systems
• creating economic opportunities and strengthening sustainable stewardship of land, water and resources
• improving community safety and building the services that support healthy communities

This year, a summary report has also been developed to provide an overview of progress, along with selected examples of how this work is taking shape in communities. The examples include:

• transforming daily life in First Nations communities through expanded internet access that helps improve access to health care, education and communication, while helping people stay connected to family, culture and home
• restoring balance through prescribed burning, guided by Indigenous knowledge and stewardship, to reduce forest-fuel buildup and wildfire risk, while supporting ecosystem health, strengthening partnerships and expanding opportunities to learn and share fire-management practices
• recognizing Haida Nation stewardship and governance through landmark agreements recognizing Aboriginal title, supporting the return of Haida laws, cultural practices and land management approaches, while advancing reconciliation and shared responsibility for the future of Haida Gwaii

The Declaration Act website has been updated with full, detailed reporting about the past year’s progress, including status indicators of whether the work is complete or how far along it is. 

Quick Facts:

• Section 5 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act requires regular reporting to the legislature to monitor progress on the alignment of laws and the action plan, in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples.
• It includes tabling an annual report by June 30 each year.
• The Declaration Act Action Plan, the first of its kind, was released in March 2022 as a five-year plan that details 89 tangible cross-government actions in the areas of self-determination and self-government, rights and title, ending anti-Indigenous racism and enhancing social, cultural and economic well-being.

Learn More:

• Read the seventh Declaration Act Annual Report and explore stories that capture the work underway to implement the Declaration Act: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/2025-26_declaration_act_annual_report_final.pdf
• Learn more about the Declaration Act: https://declaration.gov.bc.ca