‘First Nations Would Not Exist Without Canada,’ Rustad Tells Crowd – The Tyee

Feb 10, 2026

Conservative MLAs held a town hall to criticize DRIPA. Community members and Indigenous leaders pushed back.

John Rustad was accused of fearmongering and spreading misinformation about Indigenous land rights at a town hall-style event he hosted in Smithers last weekend along with two fellow Conservative MLAs.

The former Conservative Party of BC leader was joined by Bulkley Valley-Stikine MLA Sharon Hartwell and Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman at a meeting billed as an opportunity to discuss B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, or DRIPA.

Read More: https://thetyee.ca/News/2026/02/10/First-Nations-Would-Not-Exist-Without-Canada-Rustad/