“Section 7 consent agreements under DRIPA hand Indigenous governing bodies veto-like pre-approval power over Crown land decisions.”
Scott McInnis, BC Conservative Caucus
MLA, Columbia River–Revelstoke; BC Conservative Critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation · Feb 2026
Section 7 of DRIPA sets three guardrails for every agreement: (1) it must be authorized by the Lieutenant Governor in Council - that is, Cabinet - before it is signed; (2) it is limited to specified statutory powers of decision, not a general transfer of authority; and (3) it must be published in the BC Gazette to take effect. As of late 2025, only four such agreements exist: the Tahltan Central Government on Eskay Creek (2022), Red Chris (2023), Galore Creek (2023 negotiation mandate), and 'Namgis on North Island forestry (approved October 2025). They are voluntary, project-specific, and negotiated. None transfers general statutory power. The BC government publishes the full registry at 'Making Decisions Together.'
Province of British Columbia · 2019-11-28[S.B.C. 2019, c. 44]
Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation · 2025-10-31
Province of British Columbia & Tahltan Central Government · 2022-06-06
Province of British Columbia & Tahltan Central Government · 2023-11-15
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP · 2022-06-15
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First published: April 1, 2026