It was posted without a media advisory, but Vancouver law firm McMillan published a release commenting on its significance– changes to the way land use decisions are made in the province could have a big impact on the resource sector.
“Make no mistake – the subject matter of the consultation is unprecedented and of profound importance to any company that requires authorization to use Crown land in BC,” the firm stated in a release published on Friday.
“These include things like grazing leases, mining leases, licenses of occupation, [and] dock permits.”
Historically these decisions have been made by the Minister responsible for the Land Act (or her or his delegates in the senior ranks of the public service), with a corresponding duty to consult affected First Nations, McMillan noted.
In late 2023, the British Columbia Supreme Court ordered B.C. to update provincial mining legislation to ensure First…
