Scott McInnis, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke, has introduced a private member’s bill that would require the government of B.C. to publicly disclose information related to Aboriginal title claims in the province.
The proposed Aboriginal Title Transparency Act would create an online registry of active Aboriginal title claims filed against the Crown.
It would also include notifying local governments when claims involve land within their boundaries and mandate disclosure of agreements or negotiations between the province and First Nations related to land claims.
“Right now, British Columbians are in the dark,” said McInnis, in a press release this week. “Property owners do not know whether their titles are affected. Municipalities do not know what claims have been filed in their regions. Businesses cannot make investment decisions when the rules could change without public notice. This bill puts transparency into law.”
Under the bill, notices of claims would be required to be filed with the Land Title Office.
The legislation would also require the province to produce an annual report to the Legislature outlining each active claim, including its status, the area, and any financial commitments.
In a release, McInnis said the bill is intended to increase transparency around land claims, stating that property owners and municipalities may not have access to information about claims that could affect them.
As a private member’s bill, it would need support from other members of the Legislative Assembly to proceed.
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