The Leader of the BC Liberals says his government will be asking hard questions this week about legislation introduction last week by the Horgan government.
The NDP announced last week that B.C. plans to be the first province to bring in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
“I worked as a doctor in Dease Lake, Lillooet, Campbell River, dealt with lots of Aboriginal people, getting to know people on a personal level. And on that format you realize we’ve all got the same dreams and goals,” BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson said.
“We all want to be respected, treated with dignity, have a good life for our children, make sure that we’re living in a positive environment for our children. And that’s partly what UNDRIP is about.”
But Wilkinson notes the NDP have been vague about what the legislation could happen to resources in the province which he says the Liberals will challenge.
“What does mean for grazing rights for ranchers? What does it mean for mining activity? What does it mean for foresty on Crown land? What does it mean for putting up a fence, does it require consultation that hasn’t occurred before?” he said, while speaking on the NL Morning News. So we’ll be asking the hard questions.”
The NDP had campaigned on a promise to implement UNDRIP, and it’s 46 articles that are meant to recognize the basic human rights of Indigenous People along with their rights to self-determination.