Latest news with #RobertPhillips
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
First Nations Leadership Council responds to Premier's plan to fast-track mining in B.C
First Nations Leadership Council political executive Robert Phillips discusses his reaction to Premier David Eby's recent Northern B.C. mining announcement.
The Province
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Province
On Bill 15, B.C. premier seems convinced he can bring Indigenous leaders on board
Vaughn Palmer: David Eby has ignored calls from municipal and First Nations leaders to delay the fast track law until the fall First Nations Leadership Council member Robert Phillips. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG VICTORIA — Premier David Eby heads into the final week of the spring legislative session on Monday, determined to ride out the backlash over a bill giving the cabinet extraordinary powers to fast-track public and private infrastructure projects. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. 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THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Indigenous leaders say the government broke its word to consult them in advance on this type of legislation. Municipal leaders say they were left in the dark, too. Both oppose how Bill 15, the Infrastructure Project Act, empowers the cabinet to override regulatory and other authorities on any project the New Democrats designate 'provincially significant.' Indigenous and municipal leaders combined forces this week in a final pitch to delay passage of Bill 15, at least until the fall legislature session convenes in October. 'Our chiefs are frustrated,' said Robert Phillips of the First Nations Leadership Council. 'They're upset and they feel betrayed. But at one swipe of a pen, the premier can put all of this off to the fall and that's what we're calling for.' Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Echoing the call was Trish Mandewo, president of the Union of B.C. Municipalities. 'In rushing the legislation through quickly and by standing behind it so aggressively, the province has failed to generate support and trust from local governments and from First Nations.' That was midday Thursday. A few hours later the premier made it clear to both groups that the government was determined to proceed. 'I understand the history of the provincial government and why the words fast-track would cause so much concern among Indigenous leaders,' Eby told reporters. 'But I also had a very positive meeting with the modern treaty nations. We're engaging with Indigenous leadership on major projects across the province, and I think and hope we'll be able to get to a point of demonstrating that this bill not only benefits the province as a whole; it benefits Indigenous communities as well.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The premier was less respectful of the concerns raised by local government. He noted the juxtaposition between the UBCM news conference and this week's release of the Deloitte report on the troubled internal dynamics of Metro Vancouver. 'I have to confess some surprise that in the same week we got a Deloitte report about the urgent need for additional support for municipalities on complex and challenging projects to deliver them effectively, efficiently and promptly, that I would be getting a critique from UBCM about our bill that is about moving these projects along faster,' said Eby. 'It is actually the mayors themselves who have been pressing government and saying, 'we have to amend our official community plan, but can you just go ahead and build this school in our community?' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'That's what this bill is about. It is about delivering for the mayors … for the Indigenous rights and titleholders who come to our government and have projects that they own and that they want us to deliver efficiently, effectively and promptly. That's what we're going to do.' In short: Indigenous and local government leaders alike should trust the New Democrats to do the right thing with this legislation. On that score, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs made a telling comment recently about Bill 15 and Bill 14, the companion legislation for expediting energy projects. 'There's something that most people would never consider, and that's if the Conservatives were to take power and these bills were on the book,' said Phillip during an interview earlier this month with the CBC's Stephen Quinn. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'They (the Conservatives) would just run rampant on developments that could greatly harm and impair the environment, and certainly the rights of Indigenous people and British Columbians,' Phillip continued. 'We made a heroic effort to reach that understanding, but the premier made it clear that these bills are moving forward.' The government has already passed closure motions, allowing it to terminate debate and use its legislative majority to pass Bill 14 and 15 before Thursday's scheduled adjournment of the spring session. There is no need to go that route, particularly with Bill 15, the more contentious of the two. The New Democrats could simply put Bill 15 on hold, conduct the consultations they neglected, and bring it back with amendments in the fall. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But the premier has already been forced to water down Bill 7, the legislation giving the New Democrats broad powers to meet the threat of the Trump tariffs. He's determined not to blink a second time — even for the summer — on another major piece of legislation. 'We have to show we can get things done,' say the New Democrats. And never mind the fallout with First Nations? Near as I can tell, Eby does not believe that he will have to pay a high price for his rebuff of Indigenous leaders over Bill 15. Rather, he expects they will be placated with consultations later this year on the regulations that will bring specifics to Bill 15 and clear the way for Indigenous involvement in individual projects. 'We're going to have to prove it,' says the ever-confident premier. He still thinks there is time enough to make Indigenous leaders see things his way. vpalmer@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Local News Local News Local News
Hamilton Spectator
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
B.C. First Nations fear protests and conflict over fast-track legislation
First Nations leaders in British Columbia say proposed legislation to fast-track resource projects will likely lead to protests and litigation should the provincial government push the law through. Robert Phillips with the First Nations Summit says the B.C. government's proposed legislation, known as Bill 15, to approve infrastructure projects more quickly was done unilaterally, causing frustration and upset among First Nations leadership. He says there will be conflict, litigation and protests if the B.C. NDP fails to 'kill the bill' without engaging with First Nations on potential amendments. Phillips and other First Nations representatives and municipal leaders spoke at a joint news conference to outline opposition to the legislation, which Premier David Eby says is needed to combat the threat of tariffs imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump. Phillips says First Nations chiefs feel 'betrayed' by the province for trying to push through the laws without proper consultation, calling it a regressive step on the road to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. First Nations and the Union of B.C. Municipalities are calling on Eby's government to abandon the bill as written and commit to consultation to conform to obligations under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. First Nations fear protests and conflict over fast-track legislation
First Nations leaders in British Columbia say proposed legislation to fast-track resource projects will likely lead to protests and litigation should the provincial government push the law through. Robert Phillips with the First Nations Summit says the B.C. government's proposed legislation, known as Bill 15, to approve infrastructure projects more quickly was done unilaterally, causing frustration and upset among First Nations leadership. He says there will be conflict, litigation and protests if the B.C. NDP fails to 'kill the bill' without engaging with First Nations on potential amendments. Phillips and other First Nations representatives and municipal leaders spoke at a joint news conference to outline opposition to the legislation, which Premier David Eby says is needed to combat the threat of tariffs imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump. Phillips says First Nations chiefs feel 'betrayed' by the province for trying to push through the laws without proper consultation, calling it a regressive step on the road to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. First Nations and the Union of B.C. Municipalities are calling on Eby's government to abandon the bill as written and commit to consultation to conform to obligations under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2025.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
B.C. First Nations fear protests and conflict over fast-track legislation
First Nations leaders in British Columbia say proposed legislation to fast-track resource projects will likely lead to protests and litigation should the provincial government push the law through. Robert Phillips with the First Nations Summit says the B.C. government's proposed legislation, known as Bill 15, to approve infrastructure projects more quickly was done unilaterally, causing frustration and upset among First Nations leadership. He says there will be conflict, litigation and protests if the B.C. NDP fails to "kill the bill" without engaging with First Nations on potential amendments. Phillips and other First Nations representatives and municipal leaders spoke at a joint news conference to outline opposition to the legislation, which Premier David Eby says is needed to combat the threat of tariffs imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump. Phillips says First Nations chiefs feel "betrayed" by the province for trying to push through the laws without proper consultation, calling it a regressive step on the road to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. First Nations and the Union of B.C. Municipalities are calling on Eby's government to abandon the bill as written and commit to consultation to conform to obligations under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2025. Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
