The letter comes as new treaties cause controversy over land claims, including the possible transfer of two provincial parks
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As controversy continues over Indigenous land claims, 11 former B.C. attorneys general from all political stripes signed an open letter in defence of modern treaties.
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“Modern treaties are good for reconciliation — and good for British Columbia. They establish clear rights and responsibilities for Indigenous nations, public governments, communities, businesses, lenders and investors,” the signatories said.
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“They also respect private property and do not put ordinary homeowners’ or businesses’ private property at risk.”
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Among the signatories are former NDP premier Ujjal Dosanjh, former NDP attorney general and Indigenous relations minister Murray Rankin, and former B.C. Liberal attorney general and finance minister Mike de Jong.
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The other signatories are: Former Social Credit attorney general Brian Smith; former B.C. Liberal attorneys general Geoff Plant, Wally Oppal, Shirley Bond and Suzanne Anton; and former NDP attorneys general Colin Gabelmann, Andrew Petter and Graeme Bowbrick.
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The letter comes as a pending modern treaty with the Kitselas nation raises concerns about overlapping land claims from the Nine Allied Tribes and the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation, with the neighbouring nations threatening to go to court over the treaties.
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Recently, B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Caroline Elliott and others spoke out against a modern treaty in the draft stage with five Vancouver Island First Nations that would grant them ownership to Hatley Castle on the grounds of Royal Roads University, as well as two provincial parks.
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The Songhees and T’Sou-ke Nations have promised to keep the parks available to the public and the Songhees have said they plan to work out an agreement to sell Hatley Castle to Royal Roads, but that hasn’t stopped the issue from continuing to come up in public.
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Despite these concerns, the former attorneys general believe that modern treaties are still the best path for reconciliation.
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“This is not a choice between reconciliation and economic opportunity. Modern treaties help make both possible. They enable Indigenous nations to participate fully in the economy while supporting investment, jobs, thriving communities, and a more stable future for all British Columbians,” they said.
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“British Columbia should continue moving forward. — through negotiation, respect, and practical solutions — not backward into avoidable disputes and uncertainty.”
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