Provincewide petition launched to repeal B.C.'s controversial DRIPA law
B.C. Conservative MLA Harman Bhangu launched the initiative amid mounting concerns over the UN-inspired policy's influence on land rights and the future of resource development.
The B.C. Conservatives are taking the fight over the province’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) directly to British Columbians via a provincewide petition campaign aimed at repealing the controversial legislation.
B.C. Conservative MLA Harman Bhangu launched the initiative amid mounting concerns over the UN-inspired policy's influence on land rights and the future of resource development.
Such concerns have intensified in recent years especially after the landmark Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title decision, which found Aboriginal title to be a “prior and senior right” to other interests including some privately owned lands.
Though DRIPA wasn’t given as reason for the the B.C. Supreme Court’s decision, it does influence the legal framework surrounding how the court interpreted Indigenous rights and B.C. law.
“Whether it’s forestry, natural resources, the oil gas sector, it has become a huge issue,” Bhangu told Rebel News. “That’s why I think it’s important that we repeal it and we get back to some certainty for this province.”
The B.C. Conservatives are pursuing the initiative after Premier David Eby’s government backed away from its own proposed changes to DRIPA earlier this year.
Eby had indicated that changes were necessary amid growing concerns about the legal uncertainty surrounding the legislation and related provisions. But after strong opposition from Indigenous groups within the First Nations leadership Council, Eby announced his government would not introduce legislation to suspend or amend DRIPA during the last spring session.
“Last session, it was clear, you know, the NDP had a plan to repeal or amend DRIPA, and I didn’t see that legislation,” Bhangu said. “I want to hold this government to account.”
With the clock set to start October 26, the campaign to repeal DRIPA is now in the hands of British Columbians — but success will depend on whether the Conservatives can build enough support to reach the required 10% threshold in every one of B.C.’s 93 provincial ridings.
Bhangu says those who want to sign the petition or help as volunteers can contact his office at [email protected] to find out how to get involved.
Please sign our petition to stop UN-driven land seizures and protect Canadian property rights!
Drea Humphrey
B.C. Bureau Chief
Based in British Columbia, Drea Humphrey reports on Western Canada for Rebel News. Drea’s reporting is not afraid to challenge political correctness, or ask the tough questions that mainstream media tends to avoid.
