By The Canadian Press

Indigenous Act can be repealed in days if Eby recalls legislature: Opposition leader

Dec 8, 2025 | 11:06 AM

VICTORIA — The interim leader of the Conservative Party of B.C. says the Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples Act can be repealed in a few days, if Premier David Eby immediately recalls the provincial legislature.

Trevor Halford says British Columbia cannot wait until February to repeal the legislation, following a court ruling that found the province’s mineral claims regime was “inconsistent” with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The ruling says that the provincial declaration should be “properly interpreted” to incorporate the UN declaration into law immediately, and the Crown has a duty to address “inconsistencies” between the UN declaration and B.C. laws.

Halford says the ruling is causing “uncertainty” and “chaos,” and if Eby waits until the next regular session of the legislature, it would be an “abdication of leadership.”

He says his party has sent a letter to Eby asking for the recall and the Conservatives will co-operate with the government if it means repealing the law as quickly as possible.

Fraser Valley MLA speaks out

Fraser Valley MLA speaks out on delayed, over-budget completion of the Pattullo Bridge replacement

21m ago

Assault, attempted robbery suspects

Police hope to ID assault, attempted robbery suspects after they allegedly pepper-sprayed a phone seller

31m ago

Vehicle stolen from Chilliwack

Truck stolen in Chilliwack winds up on remote forest service road in Mission, alleged thief caught: RCMP

2h ago

Eby said after the ruling came out on Friday that his government is open to amending the legislation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2025.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press