[Smithers, Osoyoos, Kimberley] – The BC Supreme Court released its decision Tuesday holding that the Province needs to change its free entry mineral claim system within the next 18 months to align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The ruling is a result of the Gitxaała and Ehattesaht Nations’… Read more »
New public opinion polling reveals that 72% of British Columbians believe that the provincial government should be required to seek consent from First Nations and private landowners before issuing mining claims. This is not currently the case.
Today, the court will hear from us and the other intervenors, including B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner, a number of Indigenous nations and political organizations, and mineral exploration companies that support Indigenous peoples’ right to free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC).
The B.C. Supreme Court has decided to allow all intervenor applicants to make arguments in the Gitxaała Nation’s legal case against the free-entry mineral claim staking process. This includes our coalition of environmental organizations, as well as other First Nations, Indigenous organizations, mining companies, and the B.C. Human Rights Commission.
The BC Mining Law Reform network and several of our member organizations have applied for intervenor status in the Gitxaała Nation’s groundbreaking legal case against the free-entry mineral claim staking process. We’re in court on December 15 and 16 to argue for our right to speak to public interest issues surrounding the Mineral Tenure Act.
Local, regional and national groups support Gitxaala Nation’s legal action against the B.C. government. Earlier today, the Gitxaała First Nation filed a first-of-its kind legal challenge in the British Columbia Supreme Court against the province’s “free entry” mineral claim staking regime.
