BC New Relationship Business Group
The Government of British Columbia and the First Nations Leadership Council invited
the BC business community to offer its thoughts and recommendations on how a new
consultation and accommodation regime might be structured in the province. Major
business and industry associations (including the BC Chamber of Commerce, tourism
association, forestry associations, and mining associations) formed the “New Relationship
Business Group” to answer this challenge. The Group has recommended that First
Nations and the BC government undertake action in the following priority areas:
A new model for First Nation Consultation and Accommodation that considers both
dimensions of the content of the duty to consult:
A new government policy that clearly sets out the expectations, time frames and
process (including funding) for First Nation consultation.
Recognition that the responsibility for an effective process is shared by government
and First Nations, such that both parties must participate in good faith in reaching
consensus.
Consultation on higher level plans is preferred to engagement on each and every
minor permit.
Acceptance that there are outstanding issues in the reconciliation of aboriginal and
Crown titles that cannot be resolved through consultations on proposed development
activities.
Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA)
Canadian Energy Pipeline Association has developed a cross-industry Aboriginal
consultation framework for its member companies.
The consultation framework contains core consultation “principles” and associated CEPA
“objectives,” as well as guidelines. Together the principles, objectives and guidelines
form CEPA’s Aboriginal consultation framework and provide CEPA companies with the
essential elements that are needed to guide their consultation activities.
CEPA’s consultation framework is consistent with current industry practices. It also
addresses most of the over-arching principles found in consultation policies or other
documents of Aboriginal groups, which were reviewed in developing this framework. The
framework can be used as a foundation for companies to build more specific policies, or it
can be used on its own as a guide to consultation activities.
Appendix B-5 presents additional information on corporate perspectives on consultation.