Protect BC's Resource Economy

The Honourable the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, in Legislature Assembled,

The petition of the undersigned dated on the 15th day of January, 2026, residents of British Columbia, respectfully states that: 

Whereas tens of thousands of British Columbians rely on the natural resource sector—including forestry, fishing, ranching, outfitting, agriculture, mining, energy, transportation, tourism, and related small businesses—for their livelihoods, community stability, and economic opportunity; and

Whereas a series of rapid and overlapping governmental policy changes – most notably the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and section 8.1 of the Interpretation Act, which have been used by the government and courts to put private property rights, tenures, and permits at risk – have created significant uncertainty for working families, businesses, investors, and the communities that depend on a strong resource economy; and

Whereas these policies—including changes related to land use, access, water rights allocation, conservation targets, marine and terrestrial protected areas, provincial and indigenous decision-making frameworks, and heritage and environmental legislation—are being implemented without transparent processes, clear economic analysis, or meaningful engagement with all affected British Columbians; and

Whereas British Columbia has a long tradition of balancing environmental stewardship, reconciliation and responsible resource development, and British Columbians expect government decisions to reflect fairness, shared responsibility, and full understanding of economic, social, and community impacts; and

Whereas British Columbia is already a national leader in conservation, environmental management, and collaboration with indigenous communities, and further changes must be grounded in clear evidence, broad consultation, and a Made-in-B.C. approach that strengthens—not weakens—our province’s economic foundation;

Therefore, your petitioners respectfully request that the Honourable House:

1. Repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and repeal section 8.1 of the Interpretation Act; and

2. Unequivocally pronounce to British Columbia residents and the world that private property title is non-negotiable and will not be subject to encumbrances resulting from reconciliation, and indefeasible title will remain indefeasible even if constitutional protections are required to provide clear direction to the courts, and

3. Immediately pause further implementation of major new policy and regulatory initiatives affecting British Columbia’s natural resource sectors until their full environmental, social, and economic impacts on communities, workers, and businesses have been publicly assessed; and

4. Develop legislation, treaty, land-use and water planning frameworks and marine planning initiatives that support reconciliation, uphold environmental stewardship, enhance provincial economic well-being and protect the rights and interests of British Columbians whose livelihoods and communities are tied to the resource sector; and

5. Commit to a transparent, inclusive, and accountable process to review these initiatives, including cumulative economic impact assessments and meaningful consultation with communities, industry, labour, small business, and the general public; and

6. Those who face loss of tenure, income, or economic opportunity as a result of BC government decisions receive clear, fair, and timely compensation.