Call to Action: respect Due process, Withdraw Bill 15

A lack of transparency and due process will always exacerbate inequity.

Sent on May 28, 2025 to Premier David Eby, Minister of Infrastructure Bowinn Ma, and Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Bobbi Plecas
Written by Sacia Burton, BC Poverty Reduction Coalition

The wide-reaching powers conveyed to Cabinet with Bill 15: Infrastructure Projects Act set a dangerous precedent to limit democracy, ignore equity, and bypass right relations with First Nations’ needs in project development. 

The poorest communities most often bear the burden of environmental degradation, pollution, and loss of access to natural resources when their perspectives are not adequately represented in project development. A lack of transparency and due process will always exacerbate inequity and leave people with the fewest resources to participate underrepresented. Infrastructure expansion must not come at the cost of well-being or trust from the community that new amenities aim to serve.

First Nations across BC have expressed their concern for the precedent that this Bill sets for meaningful consultation and recognition of land rights and title. We echo their concerns, noting our province’s history of favouring the interests of industry over the well-being of First Nations communities and the lands and waters they steward. Bill 15’s current structure is at odds with the spirit of reconciliation and nation-to-nation collaboration. If this government is serious about enacting DRIPA and pursuing right relations with First Nations, withdrawing this bill is the way forward. 

Our allies in conservation have raised the alarm on the ways this Bill could open up our province to rapid expansion of extractive industries, particularly LNG facility development. Governing agencies at every level of jurisdiction agree with climate scientists: it is both necessary and feasible to begin a just transition away from fossil fuels. Bill 15 would interrupt progress towards a clean energy future for our province and lock us into projects we don’t require to meet BC’s energy needs. 

Given the myriad concerns noted, I urge you to withdraw Bill 15 and revise the province’s approach to rapid infrastructure development.