Province Says They Are Close to a New Resource Development Agreement with the Blueberry River First Nation

Provincial officials say they are close to an agreement on a new resource development approach with the Blueberry River First Nation.

Last summer, the BC Supreme Court ruled that the province’s mass approval of industry projects had violated the Nation’s Treaty 8 rights.

That decision led to a $65 million payout for the Nation, as well as an agreement to co-develop a new approach to natural resource development.

Negotiators now say they are very close to a final agreement on that which protects the Nation’s rights, and addresses land restoration and sustainability.

As such, the province has initiated early engagement with select industry groups and other Treaty 8 Nations to gather feedback on a proposed agreement.