Current Status of Negotiations

British Columbia Treaty Commission

Keeper of the Process – Oversight Body

The BC Treaty Commission (“BCTC”) is the independent body responsible for facilitating treaty negotiations among First Nations, Canada and British Columbia. The BCTC does not negotiate treaties – that is done by the three parties at each negotiation table.

The BCTC and the BC treaty negotiations framework were established in 1992 by the BCTC Agreement among Canada, BC, and the Summit. The BCTC and the treaty negotiations framework are designed to advance negotiations and facilitate fair and enduring treaties.

The BCTC and the Principals are guided by the 1992 BCTC Agreement and the 1991 Report of the BC Claims Task Force, which is the blueprint for the made-in-BC treaty negotiations framework. They are also guided by the 2019 RRR Policy, which supplements the blueprint for the BC treaty negotiations framework that is set out in the Report of the BC Claims Task Force.

The BCTC’s primary role is to oversee the negotiation process to make sure that the parties are being effective and making progress in negotiations. In carrying out the recommendations of the BC Claims Task Force, the 1992 BCTC Agreement and the RRR Policy, the BCTC has three roles: facilitation, funding and public information and education.