First Nations governments in B.C. can now hold land directly, in their own name.
Legislation enabling the change was passed May 21 through Bill 13, which amended the Property Law Act and the Land Title Act so that First Nations can buy, hold and register land, leases and other interests directly, rather than having to set up proxies such as non-profit societies or development corporations.
A press release from the province says the changes “eliminate a discriminatory and racist legal barrier that added time and cost to First Nations land registration with the B.C land title office.”
Individuals and corporations in B.C. have long been able to register land directly without a proxy.
A regulatory change made at the same to the Land Owner Transparency Act will exempt First Nations from having to register under the act when registering an interest in their own name, in line with an existing exemption for the provincial government.