Premier David Eby is expected to publicly address his government’s controversial recent actions surrounding Indigenous rights.
On Sunday, two First Nations leadership sources told The Canadian Press that Eby would back down on the suspension of key parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, scrapping plans to table legislation on Monday.
One of the sources says the suspension bill — which was already delayed last week — won’t be tabled this legislative session, as a result of planned protests by First Nations.
The latest plan to table the suspension on Monday lasted just a few hours after it emerged Sunday, and was immediately repudiated by First Nations leaders who have also opposed previous plans to amend DRIPA instead.
National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Cindy Woodhouse says Eby’s behaviour has been disheartening.
“The B.C. premier’s move to try and undermine First Nations rights is shameful. We reject any attempt to dilute, amend, repeal, or suspend DRIPA,” Woodhouse told CityNews Monday.
“Everything about this action is completely contrary to the spirit of the declaration and the province’s own legislation.”
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She says the assembly believes in progress and prosperity for all people, but “not at the expense of our rights.”
Woodhouse thanked the many people who stood with First Nations, potentially driving Eby’s decision to back down.
Politically, one expert says Eby’s actions have been inexplicable.
“We have seen him effectively reverse course on a reversal of a reverse course. Now, I think by one count we’ve seen six different positions taken by the premier on this issue,” said UBC Political Science Lecturer Stewart Prest.
“Clearly, this isn’t working.”
He says Eby needs to find an approach that at least his caucus will support, “let alone Indigenous communities and their leadership.”
Eby is expected to speak on the issue from Victoria in the noon hour.
This is a developing story. More to come.
—With files from The Canadian Press, and Kurt Black