Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation

Last updated on September 13, 2024

The Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation (the Framework Agreement) is an agreement between the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC), the Canadian government and the British Columbian government.

The Framework Agreement will advance ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation through a cooperative approach that respects and integrates the rights and stewardship roles of First Nations.

The signing of the Framework Agreement was announced on Nov. 3, 2023.

About the Framework Agreement

The Canadian and B.C. governments will implement the goals and objectives of the Framework Agreement in a manner that’s consistent with their commitments to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This includes engagement with First Nations, local governments, industry and partners through planning tables and policy discussions.

The Canadian and B.C. governments will also explore ways to enable and enhance the involvement of local governments, partners and citizens in the implementation of the Framework Agreement.

The Framework Agreement will contribute to the sustainability and the well-being of people and economies both now and in the future. It will do so by:

Protecting and conserving habitats
Restoring and enhancing ecosystems and habitats
Helping species at risk recover
Using nature-based solutions to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, while also supporting biodiversity

Framework Agreement objectives

The Framework Agreement is an unprecedented, shared commitment to conservation and stewardship. It includes goals and objectives in four key areas that aim to:

Increase the percentage of B.C.’s land base that is protected to at least 30% by 2030
Enhance and restore habitats
Improve protection for and recovery of species at risk
Enhance data and information sharing related to nature conservation

Collectively, these priorities are intended to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, improve ecosystem health and ensure community resilience to risks associated with climate change and economic benefits for generations to come.

The Framework Agreement represents a more integrated, collaborative and landscape-based approach to terrestrial ecosystem health and biodiversity than what has been done in the past.

This work is based on recognition and respect for shared stewardship responsibilities, the benefits of healthy ecosystems in B.C. and the inherent right of First Nations to self-determination and self-government. The Canadian and B.C. governments recognize that First Nations have been stewards of B.C.’s lands and waters since time immemorial and are leaders and partners in conserving and protecting nature. The FNLC will work alongside the Canadian and B.C. governments to ensure that the implementation of the Framework Agreement upholds this recognition and respect.

The Framework Agreement, the first of its kind in Canada, promotes collaboration across all levels of government with communities and interested parties to innovate solutions, create opportunities for employment, training, funding projects and economic development and help mitigate any negative socio-economic impacts of the Framework Agreement’s implementation. By working with First Nations as respected partners in the economy, B.C. supports increased certainty and clarity for projects and investment decisions.

Funding

The Framework Agreement will improve nature conservation in B.C. by helping to align the agreement’s priorities with funding opportunities and increased capacity to undertake conservation measures on the ground. The Framework Agreement represents a combined commitment of over $1 billion over the duration of the Framework Agreement, with the potential for additional investments in future.

Government of Canada funding

Under the Framework Agreement, the Canadian government will contribute up to $500 million to support ambitious and sustained actions that will protect and conserve biodiversity, habitats and species at risk, as well as address climate change using nature-based climate solutions. The majority of these funds have already been allocated through a variety of programs, and are supporting projects across British Columbia.

For more information about the Government of Canada programs supporting the Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation, visit the pages below:

Government of B.C. funding

The B.C. government is matching Canada’s funding through existing programs and funding commitments, such as those related to:

Currently, access to B.C.’s funds is facilitated through both provincial and regional-level partnerships and government-to-government agreements. The B.C. government is also investing in nature conservation through partnerships. For example:

The B.C. Conservation Fund (with the B.C. Parks Foundation)
The Watershed Security Fund (with the Real Estate Foundation of B.C. and the First Nations Fisheries Council), and
The Guardian and Stewardship Training Initiative (with New Relationship Trust)

Access to these funds is through direct application to the third parties involved.

Existing nature conservation programs and projects will continue. The Canadian government and the B.C. government, working alongside the First Nations Leadership Council, will seek ways to modify and improve how these programs are implemented to better support the objectives of the Framework Agreement. This includes reconciliation with First Nations, partner collaborations and ensuring that future investments in nature conservation align with the Framework Agreement’s objectives in an equitable and accessible manner.

Four key objectives

The Framework Agreement includes objectives for nature protection in four key areas.

Habitat and ecosystem conservation and protection

New habitat and ecosystem conservation and protection measures in B.C. are essential for ensuring the health of priority ecosystems and supporting community and cultural interests. Early objectives include:

Permanently protect and conserve up to 13,000 square kilometres of high-priority old-growth forests, supported by a $50-million investment from Canada (through the Old Growth Nature Fund) that B.C. has agreed to match
Support First Nations’ participation in government-to-government and area-based planning, specifically where their participation may lead to the establishment of new protected and conserved areas
Fund First Nations-led Area-based Conservation and stewardship goals
Advance nature conservation guidance and collaborative projects to effectively connect protected and conserved areas through ecological corridor recognition and stewardship, ensuring alignment with broader ecosystem health and area-based conservation initiatives. This will be achieved through partnerships within the federal National Program for Ecological Corridors in collaboration with First Nations to support co-designation of protected areas and inclusive land use planning processes under both provincial and Indigenous laws

Habitat enhancement and restoration

First Nations, the Canadian government and the B.C. government work together on habitat enhancement and restoration initiatives (including grasslands, wetlands, forests, riparian areas, and estuaries). They will also collaborate with local communities, partners and other government agencies. Early objectives include:

Fund new restoration activities that benefit species at risk and enrich ecosystems, including tree planting through the 2 Billion Trees program and natural climate solutions (e.g., wetlands restoration) through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund
Consult and cooperate with First Nations on implementing new restoration activities in Treaty 8 territory in B.C., to be aligned with habitat restoration plans and strategies developed with and by Treaty 8 Nations
Cooperate to restore or enhance at least 140,000 hectares of wildlife habitat in B.C. by 2024/25, beyond regulatory requirements
Develop a long-term habitat restoration framework to create an ongoing restoration program, in collaboration with First Nations, industry land managers and others

Species at risk protection and recovery

First Nations, the Canadian government and the B.C. government will work together on nature conservation actions to address threats to biodiversity, with a focus on actions most likely to result in accelerated and sustained protection and recovery of species at risk. Early objectives include:

Work together to support the recovery of spotted owls (caurina subspecies)
Take action early to address threats to species that could necessitate a listing under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) Improve provincial legal, and policy tools to prioritize ecosystem health, biodiversity, and the conservation and recovery of species and ecosystems at risk.
Continue to work together to implement the recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review. The B.C. government commissioned this review in 2019 to improve the province’s old growth management practices
Work in partnership to implement the co-developed Boreal Caribou Protection and Recovery Plan in a manner that meets First Nations, federal and provincial requirements
Advance existing species listing and habitat, ecosystem and species recovery planning pilot projects to ensure that species listing decisions under SARA are informed by Indigenous knowledge and perspectives and socio-economic implications

Foundational knowledge and information sharing

First Nations, the Canadian government and the B.C. government will work together to modernize federal and provincial data and knowledge systems related to commitments in the Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation while ensuring that data and knowledge management practices support public reporting requirements. This must recognize First Nations knowledge and science while upholding and respecting First Nations data sovereignty.

Early objectives include:

Enhance information and data management systems to inform decision-making and advance the objectives and outcomes of the Framework Agreement
Develop structured reporting and evaluation guidelines to support:
- Data collection and sharing
- Evaluation of progress
- Annual public reporting
Work together to implement and adhere to the principles of open government data within the Framework Agreement and publish data accordingly
Work with First Nations to improve the understanding and consensual use of First Nations knowledge, knowledge systems and Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP) principles to foster collaboration and better inform decisions
Continue to collaboratively gather shared and trusted data with First Nations and identify and remove barriers to using trusted data in decision-making

Implementation progress

Since the signing of the Framework Agreement in November 2023, the Tripartite Nature Committee was formed and is guiding the implementation work. This committee’s membership is made up of senior leadership from the First Nations Leadership Council, the Canadian government and the B.C. government and is supported by collaborative teams.

A joint progress report on the implementation of the Framework Agreement will be published in late 2024, with annual reports provided thereafter.

The parties of the Framework Agreement strive for national and global leadership through such a tripartite agreement in Canada. Together, we can increase the resilience, health and prosperity of all communities in B.C., today and for years to come. By working together towards these goals, we can better safeguard our communities and economic well-being.

Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation (Canadian government webpage)

Contact information

If you have any questions, please contact:

natureagreement@gov.bc.ca

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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