BC Legislature Passes Historic First Nations Land Title Recognition Act

The BC Legislature passed historic land recognition legislation Thursday in a rare unanimous vote, granting 14 coastal First Nations co-management authority over 3.2 million hectares of provincial Crown land — an area larger than Belgium.

Premier David Eby called the legislation "a turning point in the history of this province," saying it represents a genuine shift in the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous peoples rather than a symbolic gesture.

The bill creates a joint stewardship board with equal Indigenous and government representation that will have authority over resource permits, conservation decisions, and recreational access within designated territories.

"Our ancestors managed these lands sustainably for thousands of years," said Haisla Nation Chief Crystal Smith. "This legislation returns a measure of that responsibility and recognizes what was never ceded."

The legislation takes effect January 1st and will be phased in over three years to allow for the establishment of the board, the training of co-management staff, and the development of joint decision-making protocols.