BC Government News Release: Next Stage of Engagement Begins on Heritage Conservation Act Improvements

In partnership with the First Nations Leadership Council, the Province is moving forward to the next stage of consultation and engagement on modernizing the Heritage Conservation Act.

The act, which regulates the protection, management and conservation of cultural and heritage sites in B.C., was last substantively updated in 1996.

“The Heritage Conservation Act is how we protect important cultural and archeological sites in B.C., but the current system doesn’t work well for people, and it doesn’t fully reflect our shared values or commitments,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “As we embark on this important engagement, I am committed to ensuring our collective work will lead to a system that will support faster permitting, better planning and more meaningful discussions with people, communities, industry and First Nations.”

The project is a multi-year collaborative effort, mandated in 2021 and co-developed through the Joint Working Group on First Nations Heritage Conservation, a committee established by the Province and the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) in 2007, which includes members appointed by the FNLC and the Province. It has involved two phases of engagement to date with First Nations across B.C. and more than 300 organizations representing local governments, the heritage and archeology sector, real estate and construction, resource industries and other interested parties.

Read the full release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025FOR0030-000658