Eby called changes to Indigenous law ‘non-negotiable,’ but series of backdowns ensued

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

Dec. 5, 2025: The B.C. Court of Appeal issues a ruling on the so-called Gitxaala mineral rights case. It says B.C.’s mineral claims regime is inconsistent with UNDRIP, and that DRIPA must be “properly interpreted” to incorporate UNDRIP into B.C.’s laws “with immediate legal effect.”

taken april 18 from outside tradeshow

Lacombe Police seeking stolen Cadillac

A few minutes ago

residential growth and economic development

Stettler town council passes initiatives that encourage municipal building

21m ago

ponoka and wetaskiwin

Repeat liquor thieves charged after investigation by RCMP in central Alberta

48m ago

Jan. 20, 2026: Eby says DRIPA needs to be amended in light of the Gitxaala ruling, saying it has created confusion about the declaration act. First Nations leaders later reject the idea of any changes to the act.

April 1: Eby says amending DRIPA in light of the Gitxaala ruling is “non-negotiable,” and that the province faces significant legal liabilities if it is not changed.

April 2: The government changes course, dropping the plan to amend DRIPA in favour of a three-year suspension of its key elements, in order to give the Supreme Court of Canada time to rule on the government’s appeal of the Gitxaala case. First Nations meet Eby and accuse him of “absolute betrayal” and colonialism. Eby says the suspension bill will be a confidence vote, meaning his government, which has a one-seat majority, falls if it fails.

April 8: Eby says the three Indigenous legislators in the NDP caucus will support the DRIPA suspension.

April 10: Grand Chief Stewart Phillip says his wife, MLA Joan Phillip, doesn’t support the suspension bill.

April 13: The government drops plans to imminently table the suspension act and says that when it is tabled — some time during the current legislative session — it will not be a confidence vote.

April 19: First Nations leadership sources say the government plans to table the suspension bill on April 20. They vow to protest and urge MLAs to reject it. Hours later, the government backs down again and announces the suspension bill will not be tabled in the current legislative session. Eby meets First Nations leaders and a leaked document shows the government is now proposing to work with First Nations on how to implement DRIPA.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2026.

Canadian Press Staff, The Canadian Press