BURSTThe Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) is calling for the province to hold off on implementing its latest proposals to amend the Heritage Conservation Act, saying the changes would slow permitting and delay development.
A Thursday (April 23) letter to Forest Minister Ravi Parmar from UBCM President Cori Ramsay says the plan “lacks clarity and detail on key permitting elements that are at the root of construction delays and costs to landowners.”
The government has been trying to get local leaders on board since last summer to amend the Heritage Conservation Act, which governs how landowners must deal with cultural sites on their property.
Last August, UBCM was presented with 53 changes developed behind closed doors with First Nations leaders. Local leaders and businesses raised concerns about both the content of the proposals and the lack of input they were given.
Parmar agreed to more consultation, eventually scrapping some of the most contentious parts, such as the introduction of “intangible heritage” terminology, the addition of “heritage management zones” around cultural sites, and plans to allow First Nations to have an expanded enforcement role.
Because the Heritage Conservation Act can hinder development and cost landowners money, municipalities and business groups want the rules to be as clear as possible.
Ramsay says the latest changes still fall short and is urging Parmar not to introduce legislation in the fall, as planned.
“Given the significance of these considerations for housing construction, industrial development, and major infrastructure projects, it would be a mistake for the province to introduce legislation this fall based on the approach outlined in the Paper,” Ramsay wrote.
UBCM urges Parmar to bring First Nations, local leaders and private interests together to develop changes that work for everyone.
Parmar said he met with Ramsay earlier on Thursday and that the one thing he agrees with UBCM and other stakeholders on is that the current legislation does not work for British Columbians.
“We have to find a way to be able to ensure that we can reform this legislation in a way that ensures that we can move permits faster, that we can help communities like Lytton rebuild faster, and we can ensure First Nations have a seat at the table,” he said.
And he says UBCM and others have been consulted on the changes in many ways, including a half-day engagement session with local governments, First Nations, and industry representatives, all in the same room.
“My team has participated not only in technical policy discussions directly with UBCM, but we’ve also held round tables across the province, in addition to having some webinars,” he said, adding that engagement will continue because “We got to get this right.”
Ramsay outlines many ways in which UBCM believes the changes will make the system worse by increasing permitting uncertainty and creating unrealistic expectations. She blames a lack of consideration of local staffing levels and access to qualified archeologists, a misalignment with other provincial priorities, and insufficient local government consultation.
Ramsay also took issue with the 30-day timeline UBCM had to provide feedback. The organization asked for an extension, but was denied.
Asked whether he still planned to introduce legislation this fall to alter the act, Parmar said, “Only time will tell.”