The New Relationship - Moving Forward

In 2005 the Province and the First Nations Leadership Council entered into a New Relationship based on respect, recognition and accommodation of aboriginal title and rights; respect for each others laws and responsibilities; and for the reconciliation of Aboriginal and Crown titles and jurisdictions. 

In the Throne Speech of 2009, British Columbia pledged to further implement the ideals of the New Relationship by working with First Nations to establish a Recognition and Reconciliation Act.

The contents of this proposed new statute are outlined in the Discussion Paper on Instructions for Implementing the New Relationship, available to view here.Download Adobe Reader (PDF 1.1MB)

The Province will continue extensive consultation with all stakeholders to further determine how this proposed legislation will be implemented.

This legislation is intended to:

  • increase partnerships and bring certainty to the land base in B.C.;
  • establish a flexible framework to avoid the costly and lengthy litigation that has too often characterized relations with First Nations in the past;
  • ensure constitutional or common law on rights and title remain unchanged;
  • not affect Crown-granted interest on the land; including fee-simple and tenures; and
  • will not provide First Nations with automatic veto authority for land projects and economic developments.