BURSTB.C.’s NDP government is pulling back on its plan to pause or suspend sections of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) this week, and will no longer risk an election by making it a confidence vote.
With a one-vote majority — and NDP MLA Joan Phillip opposed — government House Leader Mike Farnworth acknowledged the NDP does not have the votes to pass the changes this week.
“We understand the position that Joan is in, that she’s made,” Farnworth said. “And so we are working with First Nations and with Joan to make sure that the bill that comes in is the right bill.”
First Nations have vehemently opposed amending or repealing DRIPA, with Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs calling for the party to change leadership and move on from Premier David Eby. Grand Chief Phillip and MLA Phillip are married.
Farnworth did not provide details of what the eventual bill will contain, but said more First Nations consultation is planned.
More to come.