B.C. shelves Indigenous heritage conservation measures after strong political backlash

The head of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs says he understands why the provincial NDP government is backing away from some of its more ambitious efforts at reconciliation, including shelving a proposed change on how to preserve Indigenous heritage.

This week, the B.C. government paused updates to the Heritage Conservation Act, which had roiled municipal governments in the province. Mayors and councillors said the legislative changes, which included measures to preserve “intangible” heritage assets, would be difficult to manage.