B.C. is forging a New Relationship with First Nations. The treaty negotiation process has been revitalized by prioritizing and accelerating negotiations with First Nations who were closest to finalizing treaties. As a result, modern-day treaties have been signed with six First Nations – the first treaties signed under the B.C. Treaty Process. Forestry and mining agreements and other interim agreements are helping to create economic opportunities for First Nations across B.C. The B.C. Liberal government is committed to working with First Nations to develop a Recognition and Reconciliation Act that will establish a new statutory framework to further the implementation of the New Relationship.
Challenges and Opportunities:
In Kelowna in 2005, B.C. signed the Transformative Change Accord with the government of Canada and the First Nations Leadership Council. The Accord is B.C.’s commitment to close the gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in economic opportunities, education, health and housing by 2015. We’ve launched the first tripartite First Nations health care plan and appointed the first aboriginal health physician advisor. Still, gaps remain in key social areas of health, education and housing. Despite advances in economic agreements in forestry, energy, land management and tourism, gaps remain in the economic development of these communities.
Discussion:
What can government do to further streamline the treaty negotiation process and sign more treaties that create economic certainty over Crown land and resources and improve the lives of First Nations? What other options should we explore to better share the wealth we get from our resources with First Nations communities? How can government continue to close gaps in health care and education while ensuring First Nations maintain and expand their heritage and cultural roots? What moves can be made to better strengthen relationships between First Nation and non-First Nation communities?
B.C.'s small business growth leads Canada
B.C. government eliminated 164,000 pieces of red tape
B.C. Liberals lowered small business taxes
Province cut corporate taxes by one-third
Record funding for K-12 education
Class size limits enshrined in law
B.C. parents' right to volunteer guaranteed in law
Province adds more front-line staff for children at risk
B.C. Liberal government provided more funding for community infrastructure
B.C. government grants $285 M for regional economic trusts
All traffic fine revenue returned to cities annually
Provincial income tax eliminated for a quarter million low-income people
Number of child care spaces receiving operating funding almost double
B.C. Liberal government cut income taxes to lowest in Canada
Agreements providing social and economic opportunities for First Nations
B.C. Liberal Government signed modern treaties with six First Nations
Aboriginal unemployment a third lower than in 2001
B.C. Liberal government increased funding for health care by 60 per cent
B.C.'s first new regional hospital in 30 years built in Abbotsford
New hospitals under construction in five communities
Twice as many doctors being trained in B.C. than in 1990s
North America's most progressive climate action plan, praised by climatologists and economists
Carbon tax funds tax cuts and impact equal to removing 800,000 vehicles
Over 12,000 new and replacement seniors' care beds and units
Wait time for residential care down to 90 days from one year
B.C. government providing more home support care hours than ever before
B.C. Liberal government created seven new universities
