New Fiscal Framework

B.C. is committed to co-developing a new fiscal framework with Indigenous Peoples that supports the operation of Indigenous governments, and recognizes Indigenous rights as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (PDF, 150KB) (UN Declaration).

Indigenous governments – like all governments – are accountable to their citizens and require sources of revenues to deliver services.  As part of implementing the UN Declaration, B.C. is working towards a future where Indigenous governments can fulfil their responsibilities, care for their citizens, and First Nations can manage their territories in ways that reflects their values. This work is committed to in the Declaration Act Action Plan (PDF, 3.7MB).

As an initial step, the Province finalized a long-term gaming revenue sharing arrangement that, since 2020, shares 7% of gaming revenues, approximately $100 million annually, with First Nations. Learn more about BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership.

In April 2022, B.C. announced a commitment to continue this work through the co-development of a new forestry revenue-sharing model with First Nations. In the interim, as the co-development work takes place, B.C. is more than doubling forestry revenues that will be shared with First Nations. Learn more about interim changes to forest revenue sharing.

In November 2022, the B.C. government released a discussion paper (PDF, 1.2MB) with First Nations to support the co-development work, with an initial focus on forestry revenue sharing. The Province then launched an intensive engagement process with First Nations to co-develop principles for a new fiscal framework and options for a new forestry revenue sharing model. 

A ‘What We Heard’ report (PDF, 2.7MB) was released in April 2023, which summarized the ideas, perspectives, and insights shared in the co-development process to date. The report reflects feedback received, without interpreting or filtering the comments beyond summarizing them into key themes.

After reviewing and considering the feedback received, the Province will dive deeper with First Nations into how core concepts for forestry revenue sharing could interact with First Nations’ unique governance priorities and contexts. It is critical to get this work right, and co-development will take time. In the meantime, the enhanced Forest Consultation and Revenue Sharing Agreement program will continue through 2024.

Check back here for more information soon. To contact the New Fiscal Framework team, please email irr.newfiscalframework@gov.bc.ca.