B.C. Announces Latest Proposed Changes To Heritage Conservation Act

On March 26, 2026, British Columbia released its Phase 3 Technical Policy Paper (“Policy Paper”) as part of the Heritage Conservation Act (“HCA”) Transformation Project, which aims to streamline permitting, support post-disaster rebuilding, improve heritage protections, and strengthen First Nations’ role in heritage decision-making under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (“Declaration Act“). The HCA has been the subject of longstanding concerns regarding permitting delays, costs, and administrative burden associated with the current regime.

The Policy Paper outlines the Province’s latest proposed reforms, reflecting how those proposals have evolved following engagement with First Nations, local governments, industry, and other stakeholders. The Province has removed aspects of proposed reforms that had drawn significant stakeholder concern, including consent-seeking language for permitting decisions, compliance and enforcement delegation to First Nations,