The British Columbia provincial government, led by the BC NDP, has signed four ministerial orders enacting the Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project, a collaborative plan developed with the Namgis First Nation. While the government frames this as a step toward environmental protection, Indigenous reconciliation, and forestry job stability, the B.C. Conservative Party alleges a lack of public debate and a concerning shift in how public land is controlled.
Land Use Plan Details
The Gwa’ni project encompasses over 166,000 hectares (1,660 sq. km.) of Crown land in the Nimpkish Valley, near Alert Bay and Port McNeill. This area represents roughly five per cent of Vancouver Island – an area more than 11 times the size of the City of Vancouver. The plan aims to establish guidelines for the future use of land, rivers, forests, and watersheds within the valley.
The area is home to old-growth forests, wildlife habitat, and all five species of Pacific wild salmon. The project will determine areas for protection, designate forestry zones, and seek to balance cultural, environmental, and economic interests. A joint decision-making agreement with the ’Na̱mg̱is First Nation, signed in December 2025, will allow for collaborative approval of forestry plans within parts of the territory.
Support from Industry and First Nations
Western Forest Products has expressed support for the project, stating it establishes a “strong foundation for sustainable land use” on the north Island. The ’Na̱mg̱is First Nation also voiced approval, with elected chief Victor Isaac stating the plan is “the foundation for improved stewardship of resources in our territory, respect for our forest and cultural values, and will contribute to the predictability needed for a sustainable forest sector.” Several mayors, regional officials, and tourism representatives anticipate long-term stability for the north Island as a result of the plan.
Conservative Criticism
The B.C. Conservatives sharply criticize the move, accusing the government of “land governance by stealth.” This criticism comes at a time when Premier David Eby has acknowledged concerns regarding the application of Indigenous rights laws. The party alleges the government is enacting changes to land control without sufficient public discussion.
Conservative critic Scott McInnis points to the government’s cancelled proposed legislation in 2024 – which would have granted First Nations greater influence over Crown land use – as a previous attempt at similar changes that faced public backlash. McInnis questioned the timing of the current agreements, given the Premier’s admission of issues with the 2019-approved Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). Donegal Wilson, another Conservative critic, argued that public lands should not be governed by “a growing patchwork of individual agreements.”
Broader Context
This situation unfolds against a backdrop of increasing unease in B.C. regarding the potential economic and property impacts of reconciliation-focused policies and court rulings. A recent case involving mineral rights established a precedent for interpreting all provincial laws through the lens of DRIPA, prompting Premier Eby to commit to amending the Act. Furthermore, DRIPA-layered amendments to the Heritage Conservation Act were recently paused following significant public opposition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project?
The Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project is a joint plan between the provincial government and the Namgis First Nation to establish guidelines for the use of over 166,000 hectares of Crown land in the Nimpkish Valley.
What are the B.C. Conservatives’ main concerns?
The B.C. Conservatives argue the government is making significant changes to land control without adequate public debate and that these changes are being implemented while acknowledging problems with existing Indigenous rights laws (DRIPA).
What is DRIPA?
DRIPA is the 2019-approved Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The B.C. Conservatives and others have raised concerns about its application and potential impacts.
As the provincial government continues to pursue land-use agreements and reconciliation initiatives, it is possible that further debate will arise regarding the balance between Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and public interests. It is also likely that the B.C. Conservatives will continue to call for greater transparency and a pause on new agreements until DRIPA issues are addressed. The future of land management in British Columbia could depend on how these competing priorities are ultimately reconciled.
