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Making Decisions Together

Last updated on January 27, 2026

Sections 6 and 7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) enable the Province to enter into agreements with Indigenous governing bodies (IGIBs). including joint or consent-based decision-making agreements respecting statutory powers of decision. 

On this page:

In a joint agreement, the Province and IGBs make decisions together.

Under a consent-based agreement, both the Province and the IGB must approve a project before it can proceed.

The intent of these agreements is to provide certainty and stability in statutory decision-making and to recognize and implement Indigenous jurisdiction as part of B.C.’s decision-making process in a manner that is transparent and judicially reviewable.

The Province also has a wide variety of agreements with First Nations and other Indigenous Peoples that include non-statutory decision-making.

View guidance on the Province's approach to IGBs in the Declaration Act. 

Sections 6 & 7 agreements

Section 7 agreements outline the processes for joint or consent-based statutory decision-making while clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the Province and the IGB. 

In June 2022, the Tahltan Central Government  and the Province entered into the first-ever consent-based decision-making section 7 agreement for the environmental assessment of the Eskay Creek Project. The Environmental Assessment Office carried out a collaborative assessment process with the Tahltan Central Government, the first to be guided by a consent agreement, representing a major milestone in government-to-government decision-making for major projects. In January 2026, the project received an Environment Assessment Certificate, Mines Act permit and federal approvals, Subject to permits under the Environment Management Act, the Eskay Creek gold-silver mine, near Stewart, is approved to reopen. The Eskay Creek mine project is the first to go through the regulatory process under a section 7 agreement.

A second section 7 consent agreement, signed between the Province and TCG in November 2023, is in place for the Red Chris mine. These agreements operate under section 7 of the Environmental Assessment Act.

The Province has signed a joint-based section 7 agreement with ‘Namgis First Nation that supports predictable harvesting and sustainable forestry operations on the North Island.

Over the past few years, the Province has:

  • set a mandate to negotiate decision-making agreements with the Tahltan Central Government
  • announced it is now authorized to enter section 7 discussions with the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, if and when needed

Section 6 agreements are broader in nature as section 6 does not specify any agreement types. The Province has incorporated Section 6 into the Indigenous Self-Government in Child and Family Services Amendment Act, and the Emergency and Disaster Management Act. However, no section 6 agreements have been signed to date. 

Engagement

Negotiating section 6 and 7 agreements occur as part of the ongoing government-to-government relationships between B.C. and IGBs. These initial discussions are often confidential in nature.

Should these initial exploratory discussions result in shared objectives and negotiations progress, the Province then engages with those who may be affected by agreements. The goal of the Province’s engagement is to build and strengthen relationships and create a clear understanding of agreements and initiatives amongst all partners and interest holders, including local government, industry, and others.

With respect to section 7 agreements, the Province has statutory obligations to publicly release a summary of those to be consulted with before or during the section 7 negotiations.

Community engagement promotes partnerships and collaboration IGBs, local governments, industry, partners and community members.

Decision-making agreements - Declaration Act Section 7 Orders

Any section 7 agreement that results from negotiations must be approved by government through an order in council and published before it can come into effect. View orders below.

  • 0596_2025: Approval of joint decision-making Agreement with 'Namgis First Nation
  • 0283-2025: Ability to negotiate agreement with the Tŝilhqot’in National Government
  • 180-2024: Negotiate an agreement with the ‘Namgis First Nation to support forest stewardship and sustainable forestry operations.
  • 602-2023: Negotiate agreement with the Tahltan Central Government related to the Galore Creek Copper-Gold-Silver Project
  • 600-2023: Approval of Red Chris Porphyry Copper-Gold Mine agreement with Tahltan Central Government
  • 307-2022: Approval of Eskay Creek Project Agreement with Tahltan Central Government
  • 444-2022: Negotiate Dock Agreement with Sechelt Nation
    • This agreement was repealed via OIC 0159-2025. Learn more about work with shíshálh Nation here. 
  • 348-2021: Negotiate Eskay Creek and Red Chris Projects Agreements with Tahltan Central Government

News releases

Both mandates and agreements are typically accompanied by news releases, providing for increased transparency and public awareness. Read news releases below.

Contact information

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declaration@gov.bc.ca

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