Councils, First Nations push back on bill that gives province sweeping powers – Times Colonist
May 16, 2025
Bill 15 allows the provincial cabinet sweeping powers to pass major public projects like schools, hospitals, student housing and any other projects deemed “provincially significant,” including critical mineral mines.
Local councils and First Nations have added their voices to the chorus of concerns over the provincial NDP government’s rush to approve the Infrastructure Projects Act, saying the top-down approach and lack of environmental oversight on major developments undermines locally elected officials and sets dangerous precedents.
Bill 15 was introduced May 1 and allows the provincial cabinet sweeping powers to pass major public projects like schools, hospitals, student housing and any other projects deemed “provincially significant,” including critical mineral mines, through an expedited environmental assessment process and easing of the permitting procedure.
The bill was formed amid a rocky relationship with the United States and the economic uncertainty from a trade war.
