B.C., Ottawa, First Nations announce conservation agreement worth $1B

The federal government says it's signed its first major nature agreement with a province and First Nations to mutually support protecting 30 per cent of lands and waters by 2030.

In Vancouver on Friday morning, federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault joined B.C. Premier David Eby, several cabinet ministers from both governments and First Nations leaders to announcea $500-million commitment from both governments for an agreement that would help conserve and protect land, species and biodiversity in the province.

"This is a major step forward in support of Canada's goal to protect 30 per cent of lands and waters by 2030, which all provinces should get behind," said Guilbeault in a news release.

The development of a "nature agreement" between B.C. and Ottawa was first announced in 2021as a way to meet the goal of protecting 30 per cent of the province's landbase by 2030, while also advancing reconciliation and stewardship in partnership with the province's 200,000 First Nations people.

The agreement is meant to protect old growth forests in the province, which support at-risk biodiversity and continue to be lost to logging, support the recovery of species at risk, and restore ecosystems throughout the province.

WATCH | B.C. regional chief welcomes Indigenous involvement in agreement:

First Nations leaders describe importance of Indigenous involvement in decisions around conservation

10 months ago

Duration 1:44

Regional Chief Terry Teegee with the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations says a $1-billion nature agreement signed between B.C., the federal government and Indigenous governments will be critical in protecting 30 per cent of the province's landbase by 2030.

Financing for the deal directs the use of several already announced conservation initiatives, such as B.C.'s $100-million watershed security fund and $200-million land restoration fund.

The federal government is providing new money as part of its $500 million, but also uses previously announced monies, such as a $50-million old-growth protection fund announced as part of the federal government's 2021 budget.

The federal government said Friday's announcement of the deal, called the "Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation," is the first major nature agreement of its kind and will serve as a model of collaboration with First Nations to halt and reverse the loss of nature.

"With mutual recognition of First Nations as the original stewards and title holders to our lands and waters, we have reached a jointly developed framework with sustained funding to achieve our collective goals for biodiversity protection, restoration and stewardship," said Chief Terry Teegee with the B.C. Assembly of First Nations in a release.

'Implementation ... cannot wait'

Ecojustice, whichuses the justice system to protectnaturein Canada, said Friday in a release that although the agreement is non-binding, its goals are worthy and must be accomplished quickly to protect the province from the perils of advancing climate change.

"It is imperative that Canada and B.C. breathe life into the spirit of this non-binding framework by cooperating with all interested First Nations and prioritizing immediate action," said Victoria Watson, a lawyer with the organization. "Implementation of these commitments cannot wait."

Conservation groups in B.C., who have long called for appropriate funding to protect lands and provide alternative economic opportunities for communities and nations which rely on industries such as forestry, said the agreement was welcomed.

They say currently about 15 per cent of lands in B.C. are protected from development and industrial activities, but the province still lacks standalone legislation to protect species at risk.

"Provincial and federal laws don't yet safeguard nature and biodiversity. That needs to change," said Charlotte Dawe with the Wilderness Committee.

Despite a plan and financial commitment to protect vast amounts of land in B.C. from biodiversity loss, conservationists said both the provincial and federal governments have not guaranteed that any future protected areas will exclude industrial activity, such as logging or mining.

On Friday, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship for British Columbia Nathan Cullen saidinstead there could be "modified activities" considering governments must work with nations seeking to benefit economically from the natural resources within their territories.

WATCH | Minister on balancing conservation with economic opportunities from natural resources:

B.C. minister explains approach to conserving land while allowing economic activities for rights and title holders

10 months ago

Duration 1:10

Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Minister Nathan Cullen did not rule out industrial activities on lands slated for conservation under a new $1-billion trilateral nature agreement that aims to protect 30 per cent of the province's land base by 2030.

Conservation groups also said that inthe nearly three years it's taken to come up with the agreement, old-growth forests continued to be logged at mostly unchanged rates, including the habitat of endangered species like the spotted owl.

The Wilderness Committee said with the nature agreement now in place, further, permanent protections must immediately follow.

"Now, the government has finally clarified this funding can be used to remove areas from logging tenures and formally protect them through Indigenous leadership they have no more excuses and no more time to waste," said Torrance Coste.