Groups representing local governments and industries say there’s been little transparency from the provincial government as it works to overhaul British Columbia’s Heritage Conservation Act.
The Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) and a number of development and mining industry groups said the province appears to be moving forward with changes without properly considering the feedback it heard during its latest consultation period.
“Local government and business groups have consistently expressed concern that they were excluded from a two-year co-development process between provincial and First Nation representatives, noting significant technical gaps in the Province’s proposals,” they said in a release Thursday.
The industry groups include the Association for Mineral Exploration, the Urban Development Institute, the Mining Association of B.C. and Independent Contractors and Businesses Association.
The act governing archaeological assessments and permitting at cultural heritage sites in B.C. has not been significantly updated since 1996. Local governments and developers say the rules around archeological sites can lead to high additional costs for construction.
The province said the changes to the act are intended to streamline permitting, help communities rebuild more quickly after disasters, and strengthen the role of First Nations in managing and protecting cultural heritage.
The government had planned to table a bill this spring but said in January it needed more time to consult with industry, local governments, and First Nations.
UBCM said the province offered stakeholders access to a document describing their intended legislative changes just days after the latest consultation period closed on April 23.
“Nobody believes dozens of detailed submissions from local governments and business groups were read, synthesized, and reflected in a final policy in that timeframe — the decision was clearly made before consultation closed,” said Chris Gardner, President of Independent Contractors of BC.
The groups said they declined to sign a non-disclosure agreement with the province in order to read the document.
“Being able to communicate to our members throughout this process is just really, incredibly important,” said UBCM President Cori Ramsay.
Ramsay and other stakeholders met Thursday with Forests Minister Ravi Parmar, who is leading the overhaul of the act.
They want the province to strike a working group of local governments, industry groups and First Nations to discuss the proposed policies. Some have also suggested the government pilot the changes with partner groups before any amendments proceed.
“The province’s approach from the beginning has been siloed and it’s just not working,” said Ramsay. “I think the ball is in the minister’s court now.”
Parmar said Thursday the act is a “complicated piece of legislation,” and said his ministry has collected feedback nearly 80 organizations.
He said he’ll be bringing together a table of stakeholder groups to review the document outlining the proposed changes. He said many stakeholders have agreed to review the confidential document.
“I am committed to ensuring that local governments have a role as well,” he said.
Parmar said it’s uncertain if the legislation will be ready for the fall parliamentary session, saying “we have to get this right.”
