The British Columbia government has reportedly introduced Bill 15, a sweeping proposal that would grant cabinet the authority to fast-track permitting for projects deemed of “provincial interest.”
According to journalist Rob Shaw, the legislation allows for an “alternative” environmental assessment process—one that empowers the minister to determine the scope, timeline, and procedures for consultation, particularly with Indigenous nations.
“If I’m reading it right, section 71.3 permits the cabinet to set timelines on First Nations consultation and accommodation,” Shaw noted, despite government claims that the bill aligns with United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
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Former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould was more direct in her assessment: “My prediction: more lawsuits (from proponents and First Nations), more uncertainty, and poorer economic and environmental outcomes,” warning that the bill could backfire both legally and economically.
Although the legislation’s full text remains under analysis, early commentary suggests echoes of Alberta’s Bill 7—another contentious measure that centralized cabinet authority. As described, Bill 15 appears to give the provincial government extraordinary latitude to reshape project review processes on a case-by-case basis.
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