Eby rejects a recall of the legislature, will amend, not repeal UN Indigenous Act

VICTORIA — Opposition politicians and a business group are urging the British Columbia government to recall the legislature in order to repeal the Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples Act after the province’s Appeal Court ruled in favour of Indigenous groups over the mineral claims regime.

Trevor Halford, the interim leader of the Conservative Party of B.C., said Monday the uncertainty can’t drag on until the next session of the legislature in February.

“Reconvening the (legislature) is appropriate, when a court decision creates urgent legal, or constitutional consequences requiring immediate legislative action,” Halford said, standing just outside the closed doors to the main legislative chamber.

The Dec. 5 ruling says that the provincial declaration should be “properly