ʔaq̓am oppose proposed fast tracking projects Bills – East Kootenay News Online Weekly

May 13, 2025

Submitted by ʔaq̓am Chief and Council

ʔaq̓am Chief and Council are deeply disappointed and alarmed by the announcement of British Columbia’s recently introduced Bill 14 (Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act) and Bill 15 (Infrastructure Projects Act), and demand the immediate withdrawal of these Bills.

The Bills provide the province with extraordinary, centralized powers, including to sidestep legally required consultation and cooperation with First Nation Title and Rights holders, and bypass processes intended to provide environmental and social protections.

It is the latest in a troubling pattern we are seeing from the province where it appears to be moving away from our principled partnership approach to reconciliation and, instead, toward an approach of unilateralism and centralized power.

Read More: https://www.e-know.ca/regions/ktunaxa-nation/aqam-st-marys/%CA%94aq%CC%93am-oppose-proposed-fast-tracking-projects-bills/