In a significant legislative decision, members of British Columbia’s Legislative Assembly have rejected a proposed act aimed at prohibiting publicly funded employees in educational institutions and other public entities from delivering land acknowledgments. The proposal was presented by Dallas Brodie, the MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena, who was expelled from the B.C. Conservative Party earlier this year after being accused by party leader John Rustad of disrespecting the testimonies of residential school survivors.
Brodie’s private member’s bill, named the Land Acknowledgement Prohibition Act, sought to restrict acknowledgments that either reject the Crown’s sovereignty in British Columbia or assign collective blame to individuals based on their race, ancestry, or the actions of historical Canadian figures. Land acknowledgments entail recognizing the traditional territories of Indigenous communities who inhabited the land before settlers arrived, a practice that has been part of Indigenous traditions for generations and has become more common in non-Indigenous settings in recent times.
During the legislative session in Victoria, an overwhelming majority of MLAs, 88 out of 93, voted against Brodie’s bill, a remarkable display of opposition during its initial reading. Notably, Conservative MLAs Harman Bhangu, Heather Maahs, along with Brodie and MLA Tara Armstrong, supported the bill. Brodie and Armstrong, previously affiliated with the Conservative Party, established a new political entity named OneBC in July. Additionally, former Conservative MLA Jordan Kealy aligned with Brodie’s stance on the bill.
Following the vote, Conservative MLA Á’a:líya Warbus criticized the bill, asserting that it conflicts with ongoing efforts for reconciliation with Indigenous communities in British Columbia, even if it provokes discomfort. She emphasized the importance of engaging in challenging conversations about reconciliation to advance progress and uphold historical integrity.
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert emphasized the significance of acknowledging the history of First Nations in British Columbia, highlighting that attempts to erase this history have persisted for too long. He underscored that prohibiting land acknowledgments would deepen societal divisions and hinder truth and reconciliation efforts.
The rejection of Brodie’s proposed act signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding Indigenous rights and acknowledgment within British Columbia’s legislative landscape.