Joint Call: BC must recommit to meaningful implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Press Release

February 18, 2026

Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights exist independent of provincial legislation. To avoid costly legal battles, BC has the obligation to ensure that the Province’s laws, practices, and policies are aligned with these rights through frameworks, processes, and negotiation tables co-developed with Indigenous peoples.

As the world bears witness to political instability, increasingly severe climate impacts, and growing economic insecurity, we, the undersigned, call upon Premier David Eby and his BC NDP Government to fulfill their obligations and commitments to recognizing and implementing the human rights of Indigenous peoples, as required by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) and BC’s own Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) and Interpretation Act. Amending the Declaration Act or the Interpretation Act in an effort to limit their effect would set back our collective reconciliation efforts by decades.

Five years ago, the BC government, under the leadership of Premier John Horgan, championed co-development of the Declaration Act alongside Indigenous peoples. BC was the first jurisdiction in Canada to take the necessary step of passing legislation directing the government to implement the UN Declaration and ensure that all provincial laws, policies, and practices are consistent with the inherent rights, standards, and principles of the UN Declaration. This was a significant accomplishment to which many of us stood beside the BC government and celebrated its leadership.

These efforts advanced Canada’s international standing and set an example for regional and national governments on how a government can move forward in partnership with Indigenous peoples to address the ongoing legacies of colonialism and ensure a prosperous future for all. The Declaration Act was passed unanimously by all Parties in the BC Legislature and was applauded by a wide array of civil society organizations, industry leaders, faith-based organizations, environmental groups, municipalities, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike. Today, we are concerned that, despite significant resources and effort being committed to the implementation of the Declaration Act, political will appears to be faltering.

Meaningful implementation of the UN Declaration and Declaration Act present significant opportunities to address many of the longstanding challenges our province faces, including addressing the social and economic marginalization of Indigenous peoples, promoting healthier, sustainable, and vibrant communities, increasing local decision-making, accountability, and transparency, tackling climate change and supporting climate resilience, promoting economic growth through certainty and predictable processes, recognizing the historical and contemporary contributions and cultures of Indigenous peoples in this province, and ensuring that Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike hold the same opportunity to participate, lead, and benefit in the future prosperity of this province.

We are deeply troubled by the recent rise in anti-Indigenous rhetoric and fearmongering in this province that has framed the realization of the fundamental human rights of Indigenous peoples as detrimental to economic growth, security, and the interests of others. We stand united in opposition to these divisive narratives. We believe that our futures are intertwined and our collective prosperity is inextricably linked. Questions still remain on what implementation of the UN Declaration and Declaration Act will look like, but now is not the time to cede ground to those who cynically spread fear and doubt about that vital work. At this time, rather than taking a step back, we look to Premier Eby and his government to lead and remain steadfast in upholding its obligations, commitments, values, and principles, and to take the necessary steps forward in full partnership with Indigenous peoples.

We, the undersigned, stand with Indigenous peoples in BC and call on Premier Eby and his government to recommit to meaningful implementation of the UN Declaration and the Declaration Act, and to not amend the Declaration Act or the Interpretation Act.

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