Cautious optimism from mining industry

The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME), which represents over 6,000 people in BC's exploration and development sector, welcomed the plan while urging the government to follow through with transparency and tangible action.

“Mineral exploration is vital to the BC economy,” the AME said in a statement Monday.

“To succeed, (the strategy) must be an open and transparent process that includes the mineral exploration sector at the table with the government, First Nations and other partners.”

The AME also called on the province to use existing regulatory tools — like the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework and Notice of Work permits — to attract investment and maintain access to land, emphasizing the importance of early stage exploration to future mining projects.

Three First Nations leaders joined Eby at the announcement: representatives from the Tahltan, Kaska͛ and Taku River Tlingit nations. While none publicly addressed the elephant in the room — Bill 15 — they offered strong support for the broader vision of economic partnership and resource development.

“We want to see our lives change for the better,” said Beverly Slater, president of the Tahltan Central Government.

Criticism mounts over Bill 15

Despite the optimistic tone of Monday's announcement, Eby’s mining plan is facing stiff resistance tied to Bill 15, a controversial piece of legislation now making its way through the legislature.

The bill would grant the provincial cabinet sweeping powers to fast track infrastructure and private resource projects deemed of “provincial significance,” including critical minerals mines.

Critics say the bill undermines BC’s commitment to environmental oversight and Indigenous consultation, empowering the government to override local and First Nations opposition with minimal accountability.

Tsartlip First Nation Chief Don Tom minced no words in his condemnation of the bill.

“Trust has been broken between First Nations and the David Eby government,” Tom said, calling Eby a “snake oil salesman” and saying he is paying lip service to consultation while advancing legislation that sidelines Indigenous voices.

Hugh Braker of the First Nations Summit echoed those concerns, describing Bill 15 as a betrayal of campaign promises made by the NDP to prioritize reconciliation and environmental protection. “All the promises they made during the campaign last fall have gone out the window,” he said. “They say damn the environment, full speed ahead.”

When asked directly whether the mining plan and Bill 15 are linked, Eby insisted they are separate.

“There’s no connection between Bill 15 and today’s announcement,” he said, even though he previously cited mining projects as a clear use case for the legislation during its introduction on May 1.

Pressed further, Eby acknowledged that a mine could theoretically qualify as a “provincially significant” project under the bill. “We do have theoretically — should the bill pass — opportunities under Bill 15,” he told reporters. “But even if Bill 15 didn’t exist, we’d still be doing this announcement today.”

MLAs are expected to vote on the final version of the bill this week. Tom said that if the law passes, First Nations are prepared to mount a legal challenge.