John Rustad, the leader of the BC Conservative Party, has made several statements about UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and DRIPA (Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act) in British Columbia:
- Rustad, a former BC Liberal Indigenous relations minister from 2013 to 2017, has called for the repeal of DRIPA in BC, stating that it was “established for conditions in other countries — not Canada”[3].
- He claims that the NDP amendments to BC’s Land Act (temporarily paused after a public backlash), which were purportedly developed to comply with DRIPA, are an “assault on your private property rights”[1].
- A wide range of critics[10] have said that the NDP’s proposed Land Act policies will provide First Nations a “veto” when it comes to Crown Land decisions[4][11]. The BC NDP have denied the Land Act amendments would’ve given a veto, with Premier David Eby even going so far as to call it a conspiracy.[8]
- Rustad argues that UNDRIP is causing widespread “permit paralysis” and blocking the progress BC First Nations have made through 40 years of courtroom decisions[2].
- He now advocates for “economic reconciliation” instead of UNDRIP, stating that returning lands “needs to be based on economic reconciliation, which is not about transferring potential from one group to another — but rather adding potential for all British Columbians”[2][6].
- Rustad’s position on UNDRIP represents a significant reversal from his previous stance. In 2019, as a BC Liberal MLA, he voted in favor of adopting the UNDRIP legislation, stating it was “just the right thing to do”[6].
- He has expressed concerns about how UNDRIP would be implemented in practice, particularly regarding joint decision-making and shared responsibilities[6].
- Rustad has consistently rejected the principle of “free, prior and informed consent” found in UNDRIP, viewing it as potentially granting a veto to First Nations over Crown land and resources[7][9].
Note: Rustad’s current position on DRIPA/UNDRIP has been criticized by some Indigenous organizations, who view it as a threat to reconciliation efforts and Indigenous rights[5]. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, of the BC Indian Chiefs, is one of Rustad’s more vocal critics.
“The only way that you’re going to be able to have true reconciliation is if you were able to have economic reconciliation,” Rustad said in a recent interview with Northern Beat. “It can’t be about taking economic activity from one group to give to another. It has to be about building economic potential, expanding economic potential, and making sure that First Nations can fully engage, participate and benefit from that.”
Citations:
[1] https://www.conservativebc.ca/public_land
[2] https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/bc-first-nations-undrip-united-nations
[3] https://ckpgtoday.ca/2024/02/01/bc-conservative-leader-calls-on-government-to-repeal-undrip/
[4] https://northernbeat.ca/news/proposed-legislative-changes-give-indigenous-nations-statutary-power-on-land-use
[5] https://www.ubcic.bc.ca/bc_conservative_liberal_bizarre_reunification_scheme
[6] https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/vaughn-palmer-john-rustads-big-flip-flop-undrip-bc
[7] https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2024/09/19/John-Rustad-Indigenous-Rights-Regressive-Approach/[8] https://thebreaker.news/news/first-nations-land-management/
[9] https://northernbeat.ca/opinion/veto-or-consent-controversy-land-act/
[10] https://mcmillan.ca/insights/publications/bc-government-consulting-on-new-law-to-give-indigenous-groups-control-over-crown-land-decisions/
[11] https://www.scribd.com/document/771308032/Proposal-to-Enable-Land-Act-Decisions-to-be-made-with-Indigenous-Governing-Bodies#fullscreen&from_embed