Tsilhqot’in National Government has decided not to sign Economic Community Development Agreement with B.C.

The Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG) has decided
not to sign an Economic Community Development Agreement with British Columbia for the Gibraltar Mine until the province changes its engagement and benefit-sharing on major projects with First Nations. Shored up by the recent Supreme Court Tsilhqot’in title decision and in the face of the Mount Polley Mine tailings pond disaster, TNG said B.C.’s ‘take it or leave it’ approach on revenue sharing agreements is unacceptable. TNG wants transparency around the amount of mineral tax revenue that will flow. They say revenues are often low for the amount of risk to First Nations.
    TNG wants a role for First Nations to set, monitor and enforce environmental standards. And TNG says the releases First Nations are required to sign to benefit from such agreements, in fact, diminishes their right to compensation in the event of any catastrophic damages. “This comes down to respect. Negotiating with ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ offers is inconsistent with the direction from the Supreme Court in our title ruling, and offering an agreement without telling us the funding levels is a slap in the face,” said Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chair for the Tsilhqot’in National Government.
    “First Nations deal with crippling levels of poverty on our reserves. We are not critical at all of other First Nations that have signed ECDAs. We understand the urgent need for economic benefits, even on the insulting terms set down by the province. But the status quo has been shattered. We are not asking for handouts. We are calling for real partnerships. We are calling on the province to sit down with us and work out a new, positive approach to engagement, environmental protection, security levels and benefit-sharing for the Gibraltar Mine.”