The Government of British Columbia has extended the deadline for their survey about proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) to November 14. This initiative is relevant to all communities in BC because it aims to modernize the legislation that protects heritage and archaeological sites—many of which hold deep cultural and historical significance for First Nations and local communities.
The proposed updates to the Act include:
- Streamlining permitting processes to support timely disaster recovery and development.
- Enhancing protection of heritage sites and reducing accidental damage.
- Strengthening First Nations’ role in decision-making, in alignment with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Improving transparency and access to information for property owners and local governments.
You can learn more and participate via the Province’s engagement site: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/heritageconservationact
Your insights and feedback are valuable to shaping legislation that reflects everyone’s needs and values.