Since taking office six months ago John Horgan made his first appearance in Northern BC as premier.
He was in Prince George to attend the BC Natural Resource Forum, where he talked about how he plans to shape the future of the province.
Horgan spoke about how the province needs to unify and reconcile with First Nations groups, something he says will help expand the natural resource sector in BC.
“I believe we have a unique opportunity with a new government that is focused on making sure that true reconciliation happens. That will open the flood gates of investment. Investors step away when they see uncertainty, I believe reconciliation and true inclusion leads to certainty.”
The government has come under pressure from two first nation groups who have decided to file a claim against the Site C dam, something they say is a violation of a treaty signed years ago.
The Premier says he believes they have every right to take their government to court.
“That, I believe, is an isolated case-by-case basis. That is an industrial project that has, in the eyes of some indigenous people, alienated their rights and titles and they’re within their right to take that question to court. But if we continue to fight over the existence of rights and titles, which some people in the province advocates, I believe that’s wasting public money and wasting money that indigenous communities would better out towards housing and economic development.”
He added if the province wants to realize it’s potential they need to make sure there is an equal partnership between BC and First Nations.