Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy is urging the provincial government to scrap the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
He called it one of the most divisive issues in decades.
Introducing the motion, he shared a story about his brother’s four children — two First Nations stepchildren and two biological — noting that while they’re raised under the same roof, only some will qualify for benefits like education supports, job opportunities, extended health coverage, housing programs, and hunting and fishing rights.
The repeal motion was narrowly defeated, with 48 MLAs opposed and 43 in favor.
DRIPA, passed in 2019 and based on the UN declaration, serves as B.C.’s reconciliation framework.
Kealy argued it’s a “one-size-fits-all” approach that doesn’t suit the province, claiming reconciliation has been distorted into something divisive. He criticized the NDP government for fostering what he described as growing division and said true reconciliation needs truth, clarity, and partnership — something he believes would be possible if the act were repealed.
-with files from Noah Abel
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