Former British Columbia minister Melanie Mark is accusing Premier David Eby and his cabinet of "turning their backs" on First Nations, local governments and environmentalists by passing controversial bills to fast-track infrastructure projects.
Mark, the first First Nations woman elected to B.C.'s legislature and a former cabinet colleague of Eby, called it "astounding and disheartening" behaviour by the government.
"Politics should not stand in the way of progressive policies. Trampling on Indigenous rights just ends up getting reversed in the highest courts — taxpayers will end up paying for this oversight," Mark said in a statement issued as the legislature was sitting to vote Wednesday night.
Both bills passed in the legislature that night with Bill 15, which fast-tracks public and private infrastructure projects, getting through thanks to a rare tiebreaking vote by Speaker Raj Chouhan.
Bill 14, which would speed up renewable energy projects and transmission lines, also passed with the help of Chouhan's tiebreaker.
Critics say the bills undermine environmental standards and constitutional obligations to consult First Nations.
Eby said Wednesday that both bills are "critically important" because they respond to a "rapidly evolving situation."
He said B.C.'s largest trading partner, the United States under President Donald Trump, was attacking the provincial economy in the "name of annexing" Canada as the 51st state.
"British Columbians expect us to respond to ensure that we are protecting, as best as we can under this threat, our economy, that we are supporting them and their families, with high-quality services, that we're building the schools and hospitals that we need, and that we're doing so efficiently and quickly," he said.
Mark said the government should reconsider the bills, saying the province has walked back plans in the past.
She pointed to a controversial $789-million plan to rebuild the Royal B.C. Museum under former premier John Horgan, which the government ultimately suspended after intense criticism.
"It didn't go over as planned but former premier John Horgan had the fortitude to recalibrate, pause the project and mandate more meaningful consultation," Mark said.
Mark says Eby can do the same in this situation, which would show the government honours the Crown's duty to consult with Indigenous people.
"It’s never too late to do the right thing," she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025.
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
