Proposed Changes to the B.C. Heritage Conservation Act
The Business Council of British Columbia (the Business Council) appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed amendments to the British Columbia Heritage Conservation Act (the Act). Our members across the province support the protection of heritage sites and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Doing both well creates a solid foundation for a society built on the trust essential for building a strong economy and shared prosperity for all British Columbians.
The goal of the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project (HCATP) is to modernize the Act, which has seen only modest changes since 1996, most notably in 2019. Government officials and guidance documents for recent consultations suggest proposed amendments are primarily to align the Act with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), as referenced in clause 4.35 of the DRIPA 2022–2027 Action Plan. More specifically, the proposed changes are focused on “strengthening the role for First Nations in the management of cultural resources.” The amendments are also aimed at making permitting faster and easier, facilitating post disaster recovery, and more effectively protecting heritage resources.
Amendments to the Act must be considered within a broader economic and social context. The province is currently on an unsustainable fiscal trajectory, with record operating deficits and no path back to budgetary balance. Trade actions by the United States compound our competitiveness challenges. In addition, the Cowichan Tribes v. Canada, 2025 decision is creating uncertainty around the security of private land ownership in the province. This context is important as it underscores that any policy changes creating further uncertainty for business are unwelcome and will likely further undermine the investment climate in the province.
This submission provides a summary of what we have been hearing from BCBC members across various sectors about the conceptual aspects of the proposed amendments.