New Fiscal Framework
B.C. is committed to co-developing a new fiscal framework with Indigenous Peoples that recognizes Indigenous rights as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
New Fiscal Framework
Indigenous governments – like all governments – require sources of revenues to deliver service and accountabilities to their citizens. As part of implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, B.C. is working towards a future where Indigenous governments can fulfil their responsibilities, care for their citizens and First Nations can manage their territories in ways that reflects their values.
The Province is committed to co-developing a new fiscal framework with Indigenous Peoples that supports the operation of Indigenous governments. The provincial government recognizes that there is much work to do. The Declaration Act Action Plan includes a commitment to this work over the next five years and beyond.
As an initial step, the Province finalized a long-term gaming revenue sharing arrangement that, since 2019, shares seven percent of gaming revenues, approximately $100 million annually, with First Nations. Learn more here.
In April 2022, B.C. announced a commitment to continue this work through the co-development of a new forestry revenue-sharing model with First Nations. In the interim, as the co-development work takes place, B.C. is more than doubling forestry revenues that will be shared with First Nations.
Learn more about interim changes to forest revenue sharing here.
In November 2022, the B.C. Government released a discussion paper to First Nations to support the co-development work, with an initial focus on forestry revenue sharing.
The Discussion Paper identifies two simultaneous tracks of work in partnership with First Nations.
- Track 1 is the co-development of a new model of fiscal relations, including the vision, objectives, and principles, and how those will be applied comprehensively.
- Track 2 is the co-development of near-term changes to specific revenue-sharing streams. The initial focus of track 2 will be on forestry revenue sharing.
Read the Discussion Paper here.
‘What We Heard’ report
Following engagement with First Nations across the province, on April 12, 2023, the Province released a ’What We Heard’ report, which summarizes the perspectives shared by First Nations during this first phase of engagement on the co-development of a new fiscal framework.
The What We Heard report includes an overview of the Province’s engagement activities and a summary of the feedback raised by First Nations during government-to-government meetings, conferences, forums, and a virtual information session. The Province has sought to accurately reflect all of the feedback received, without interpreting or filtering the comments beyond summarizing them into key themes.Read the ‘What We Heard’ report here.
Options paper
The Province is currently developing an options paper, which will contain a series of preliminary options for a new forestry revenue sharing model as well as co-developed principles for a new fiscal framework, based on the feedback summarized in the What We Heard Report.
The Province will undertake further engagement with First Nations, the public and industry on the options paper, as well as make it available for comment by the public and industry. Check back here for more information soon.
