B.C. postponing changes to heritage act to step up consultation, says minister
Changes were planned for Heritage Conservation Act this spring, but local governments worried over costs
The B.C. government is postponing changes to the law that governs the designation and protection of heritage sites, as Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said more time is needed to consult with First Nations, industry and other groups.
The government was planning to bring forward changes to the Heritage Conservation Act this spring, but Parmar said the legislation requires more engagement because of its importance.
Hundreds of pages of public feedback, including thousands of surveys, were compiled regarding plans to revise the act.
Parmar said he and ministry staff spent much of the winter break going through those documents.
"We are going to take advantage of the engagement that British Columbians, particularly those stakeholders, have provided us in that feedback, and go have more direct conversations with them," he said in an interview Monday.
Parmar said the government could table changes in the fall, but did not want to make any promises, saying the goal is to bring forward legislation that speeds up development.
He said communities like Lytton, B.C., which was largely destroyed by wildfires in 2021, should be able to rebuild faster, while also protecting archeological sites important to First Nations.
Parmar said both can be done at the same time.
"The direction that I have got from [Premier David Eby] is striking a balance, where you can move forward and create more efficiencies and streamline more projects, while at the same time protecting heritage," Parmar said.
Reform of the legislation started in the summer of 2022, but the province extended the deadline for submissions until Nov. 14, 2025, after concerns from municipalities that the proposed revisions would slow development and add costs.
Parmar said all stakeholders agree the current legislation is "broken," adding that it is possible to come up with changes that can "streamline more projects," while protecting heritage sites at the same time.
Coun. Cori Ramsay of Prince George, who also serves as president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, said her organization welcomes the delay.
"I'm glad to see that the province is taking more time to engage with local government and industry," she said, adding that municipalities had been asking for more consultation.
Ramsay said local governments support the goal of preserving B.C.'s common heritage and recognize that First Nations have a unique interest in how that is done.
"I will say that the proposed changes by the province lacked balance and did contain risks for homeowners, and the private sector," Ramsay said.
She added local governments agree with the need for change, but any changes must consider the interests of municipalities charged with issuing various permits, as well as the housing and construction industry.
"It's so important to get this right the first time, and that might take a little bit of extra time," she said.
"I recognize there are frustrations and not having certainty around this, but there will be greater frustrations, if this is wrought with legal issues and reputation damaging relationships in the future."
One of the stated goals of reforming the Heritage Conservation Act is to align it with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), which has come under fire.
When asked whether government is postponing the reform to avoid the optics of aligning legislation with DRIPA, just as it faces questions, Parmar said that is not the case at all.
"I wouldn't agree with that perception at all," Parmar said. "In fact, I would say that I'm very clear in my support for getting First Nations involved in this process."
Parmar added that industry also wants to see their participation, and that this delay is ultimately about "truly transforming" the legislation in a way that "will address everyone's concerns and confusions."