The Tsilhqot'in decision on aboriginal title brings the certainty the resource sector has been wanting for the last 20 years, said the NDP's leader.
"Well, we have it now," John Horgan said. "I'm confident, with my discussions with industry. They wanted to know what the rules of engagement were. They're clearer today than they were prior to the decision and the outcomes will be positive as a result."
The leader of the official opposition launched his tour of B.C.'s interior in Prince George yesterday by talking about the decision by the Supreme Court - which recognized the title of Tsilhqot'in First Nation to 1,750 square kilometres of land near Williams - and the government's focus on liquefied natural gas.
One of the main reasons Horgan was in the city today was to talk to First Nation leaders about the landmark ruling.
"I'm very encouraged with the approach that First Nations are taking with this," he said. "This is a new day for them and it's a new day for British Columbians."
First Nations, for the most part, want to be partners in economic development, Horgan said. He believes the Tsilhqot'in decision gives the opportunity for First Nations to do that.
Horgan's comments oame as the Gitxsan nation, located in the northwest of the province, declared yesterday that, based on the decision, they were evicting the sport fishing industry, the forest industry and CN Rail from their territory. They have been given until Aug. 4 to leave.
"That's an invitation to negotiate. I'm hopeful," Horgan said, adding that he hadn't had a chance to read the Gitxsan's press release. "It will be a bumpy road as we find our way. All industry, all sectors, the two levels of government and the First Nations, individually and collectively, it's going to take some way to get through, but I think in the end, it's going to be better for all of us."
There was one item that Horgan said he was upset about regarding the decision: the effect on the treaty process.
"Who would have thought it? A 25-year court case would have been more efficient than having a dedicated treaty table that was tasked with getting certainty of the land base," he said. "As someone who championed it for 20 years, I'm saddened by that."
Horgan said he'd suggest the government and First Nations get to the negotiation table in wake of the decision.
"In terms of the Tsilhqot'in decision, the Tsilhqot'in have to get to a table with the provincial government and start to negotiate how they're going to proceed with resource development," he said. "That is duplicated with [around] the 200 other First Nations in British Columbia."
First Nations also have to be brought into the discussion about the development of liquefied natural gas, said Horgan, adding that he thinks the government has been focusing on that too much.
"With respect to LNG, I believe it's a very positive opportunity," he said, saying the New Democrats worked to develop the industry in the '90s by creating the Oil and Gas Commission. "My disappointment with the government is they're ignoring other sectors."
Those other sectors Horgan mentioned include forestry, tourism, bioenergy - which could be developed using wood waste and geothermal. He added that the government needs to focus more on skills training to ensure British Columbians could get jobs generated by any LNG development.
"I support expanding our natural gas sector and getting to higher priced markets, but we have to make sure we are getting maximum benefit from that - not just the companies that are making the investments, but the province that owns the resources for all of us," he said.
The government needs to focus on more than one thing at time, said Horgan, adding that it needs to look at other areas in case LNG development doesn't pan out as planned
"That's the part I have problems with the government: they're fixated on the shiny bauble that may well pay off, but it's not going to pay off to the extent that they're advertising," he said.
