Rustad promises to return 20 per cent of B.C.’s land volume to First Nations

B.C. Conservatives Leader John Rustad says Ottawa has been absent dealing with First Nations issues, and a provincial government under his party would step in and have the “federal government pay the bill.”

Speaking in Cultus Lake Monday, Rustad says First Nations in B.C. have been held back economically, and if elected, he would partner with First Nations to help them realize their full economic capabilities.

“Whether it’s mining or forestry or other resources, or whether it is, perhaps, industrial or residential or commercial. There’s many, many different paths that different First Nations can take and that may want to take for their people. We need to be able to make sure that we’re partners and we’re unleashing that potential,” said Rustad.

He says the B.C. Conservatives are committed to returning 20 per cent of land volume in the province to First Nations.

“Returning land to First Nations is critical for achieving economic self-sufficiency while addressing legal uncertainties surrounding rights and title. This approach will help resolve long-standing issues related to Section 35 of the Constitution, which recognizes and affirms the existing Indigenous and treaty rights of First Nations,” the party said in a release Monday.

Rustad went after the BC NDP government’s history of involvement with First Nations, referring to an August report from the First Nations Health Authority that showed Indigenous life expectancy in the province had fallen by six years between 2017 and 2021.

“It’s hard to say this without having a tear in my eye,” said Rustad.

“That, to me, is completely unacceptable, that that is what is happening with First Nations in B.C.. The approach that has been taken is an utter failure. This is why we need to be going in a different direction, laying that foundation for prosperity through economic reconciliation is the path that we believe can unleash the potential by doing so, unleash the potential of our entire province.”

The party leader says the federal government isn’t doing its part, and his party will push them “with whatever means we can, legally or otherwise” to fulfil that commitment.

In August, Dr. Nel Wieman, First Nations Health Authority’s chief medical health officer, said the decline was largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the province’s opioid overdose crisis.

She says Indigenous people in B.C. have been disproportionately impacted by both the pandemic and the unregulated toxic drug supply.

The party also promised to transfer authority for child welfare and family services to First Nations, thereby “enabling communities to raise their children according to their cultural values and traditions.”

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip with the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs says the economic reconciliation touted by Rustad rings hollow.

Phillip says Rustad’s plan to repeal the province’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ Act is greatly offensive and would take the province back to a time of costly conflict with First Nations.

“There would be a return to the barricades to defend and protect our interest in our land from the predations of industrialized logging, mining, oil and gas, and so on,” Phillip said.

Phillip says the plan seeks to exploit First Nations land for industrialization and resource extraction, and says the province would return to a time of costly conflict with First Nations.

“We go back to conflict and confrontation, we go back to the courtroom and waste a million and billions of dollars on lawsuits,” he said.