New Relationship

The Government of British Columbia is leading the nation in developing a New Relationship with First Nations and aboriginal people. Guided by principles of trust, and by recognition and respect of First Nations rights and title, we are building a stronger and healthier relationship between government and aboriginal people. By working together, we will bring tangible social and economic benefits to aboriginal people across the Province and narrow the gap between aboriginal people and other British Columbians.

The EAO is committed to building a new relationship with First Nations that is founded on reconciliation, mutual respect and trust. As part of the EAO's commitment to the New Relationship, the EAO is identifying different ways to ensure First Nations are fully engaged throughout the environmental assessment process and to help First Nation communities understand potential project effects. The EAO actively encourages proponents to meet with First Nations at their earliest opportunity to learn about First Nation communities and First Nation interests and concerns as this can help inform decisions about project location and design. The EAO seeks First Nations input on its project scoping decisions (Section 11 orders) and encourages and helps fund First Nations participation in technical working groups.

The EAO has also been facilitating broader government-to-government discussions with First Nations around potential project impacts on aboriginal rights and title. At the end of a review, the EAO seeks First Nations comments on the draft Assessment Report, which identifies the issues considered during the environmental assessment, including a detailed assessment of potential impacts of the proposed project on aboriginal rights and title, and summarizes the conclusions of the review, including the documentation of any unresolved issues before it is finalized and forwarded to Ministers for their consideration as the statutory decision-makers under the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act.