Among the concerns Sicamous council has regarding proposed B.C. Land Act amendments is the feeling of exclusion from what is seemingly already a done deal.

Through the changes, the provincial government hopes to negotiate agreements with Indigenous governments and share decision-making on public land use, and plan to implement that in the spring session of the legislature. Municipalities and other stakeholders have until March 31 to provide feedback.

鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of fake consultation,鈥� Coun. Pam Beach said at the Feb. 14 Committee of the Whole meeting. 鈥淚t鈥檚 coming in late to consult, when in actual fact they鈥檝e already made up their mind. I just find it amazing the way they do things. Of course this needs to involve all of us, there has to be consultation.鈥�

Mayor Colleen Anderson agreed there hasn鈥檛 been a lot of transparency in this process, and pointed out how this legislation could strain Indigenous relations.

鈥淚 think while we鈥檙e trying to create relationships with First Nations, things like this are creating questions and concerns between us and First Nations,鈥� she said, with Beech adding that it鈥檚 鈥渁nti-productive to do this kind of stuff.鈥�

Coun. Ian Baillie agreed the legislation is a huge issue that will 鈥渄ramatically change鈥� land use across the province, while also affecting other aspects of that.

鈥淓ven just responsibilities and governance,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his changes a lot of these things, and it changes the lines of authority.鈥�

While Anderson suggested sending a letter outlining the district鈥檚 concerns sooner than later, council wanted to have further discussion to ensure that everything gets addressed. Deputy corporate officer Sarah Kyllo added that some staff have registered for an information session with the province on Feb. 21, which council could attend as well to learn more prior to sending the letter. Baillie also noted that a comprehensive response is more important than a fast one, adding that they do have until the end of March.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think we鈥檙e going to miss the boat. After March 31 they鈥檙e going to look at all the responses鈥� and we鈥檙e going to be one of many, many, many voices on this issue,鈥� he said, adding that all the resource sectors are also engaged in this. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a huge change, it鈥檚 fundamental.鈥�

Council approved the recommendation to bring this back to the next committee meeting.

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