As described in our first bulletin in this series, BC recently
introduced Bill 41, draft legislation to implement the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).1
This bulletin provides an update on the Bill's progress, and
summarizes recent government commentary on the legislation.
Bill 41 passed second reading on October 31, 2019. Through
debate at second reading, the Minister of Indigenous Relations and
Reconciliation clarified that Bill 41 "does not, in and of
itself, give the UN declaration legal force and effect" and
"is not a switch that will change every statute and process in
the government the day after this act is proclaimed".2
Rather, as described in our first bulletin, Bill 41 is a catalyst
to enable future legislative changes, to align BC's laws with
UNDRIP over time.
