Image: Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA Á’a:líya Warbus / Warbus spoke to the media after the vote on a proposed bill that would ban land acknowledgements in public agencies.

By Alyssa Conti

PROPOSED BILL REJECTED

Chilliwack MLAs split vote on proposed bill to ban land acknowledgements

Oct 24, 2025 | 10:35 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack’s two MLAs have been divided on a controversial proposed bill to ban public agencies from Indigenous land acknowledgements.

MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena Dallas Brodie proposed the Land Acknowledgement Prohibition Act on Thursday morning (Oct. 23).

“Land acknowledgments are the anthem of a suicidal nation,” said Brodie in her bill introduction.

“They are recited in classrooms, board rooms, and before virtually every public event. They’re repeated ritualistically to instill the belief that our country is illegitimate and that Canada has no right to exist, that our ancestors are evil, and our history must be abrogated.”

Other members of the Legislative Assembly overwhelmingly turned the private member’s bill down 88 to 5, failing its first reading. Among the bill’s supporters were Brodie, Conservative MLAs Harman Bhangu and Tara Armstrong, Peace River representative Jordan Kealy and MLA for Chilliwack North, Heather Maahs.

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Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA A’aliya Warbus spoke to the media after the vote, saying she “has lived with racism” her entire life, which “remains alive and well.”

The Conservative House Leader, who is Indigenous, said her colleagues’ decision to support the bill was “their call to make”, adding that the “bulk” of her party and caucus allows free speech.

With files from the Canadian Press.