Overview
- The government, which on Monday said the DRIPA bill will wait and will not be a confidence vote, lowered the chance of an early provincial election.
- Premier David Eby had planned to suspend parts of the 2019 Indigenous rights law for up to three years after a December court ruling said the UN declaration applies in B.C. law with immediate effect.
- First Nations leaders rejected any pause, and NDP MLA Joan Phillip told caucus she could not support it, a stance House Leader Mike Farnworth acknowledged as he promised more consultation.
- Eby said he will seek backing from Greens, Conservatives and independents before bringing any measure later in the spring session.
- The push to pause grew from fears of lawsuits against provincial statutes and land decisions under the Gitxaala ruling, a risk the premier says could stall projects and deepen uncertainty.