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The BC Energy Regulator and Halfway River First Nation have enhanced existing guidance on pre-application engagement under the HRFN Oil and Gas Consultation Agreement.

DATE ISSUED: Jan. 25, 2021

EFFECTIVE DATE: Jan. 25, 2021

The BC Energy Regulator (Regulator) and Halfway River First Nation (HRFN) have enhanced existing guidance on pre-application engagement under the HRFN Oil and Gas Consultation Agreement (OGCA). This is part of the Regulator’s work with Treaty 8 First Nations on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

To support the participation of First Nations in processes affecting them, the Regulator encourages proponents to meet with and engage in dialogue with affected First Nations when planning oil and gas activities.

The objective of pre-engagement is for proponents and First Nations to proactively share information, identify potential impacts to Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, and discuss measures to avoid/mitigate potential impacts when planning oil and gas activities.

Pre-engagement is not a requirement; however, it is strongly encouraged, and the Regulator recognizes consultation with First Nations is more effective when potential impacts to Aboriginal and Treaty rights have been addressed prior to the submission of permit applications.

What has changed?

Supplementary information was added to the HRFN Categorization Worksheet (Worksheet), the guidance document to the HRFN OGCA. The Worksheet now outlines HRFN’s approach to providing meaningful input into oil and gas activities by working directly with industrial proponents to proactively mitigate and avoid potential impacts to Treaty Rights (page 1-3).

To document pre-engagement, the Regulator has also developed a Pre-engagement Record template document, which oil and gas applicants are encouraged to use and submit to the Regulator to inform consultation on applications.

No changes have been made to the OGCA or the consultation process contained within.

If you have any questions regarding this Industry Bulletin, please contact:

Matthew Scarr

Manager, First Nations Relations

BC Energy Regulator

Matthew.Scarr@BCOGC.ca

250-961-1051

If you have any questions regarding engaging with Halfway River First Nation, please contact:

Roslyn Notseta

Lands Manager

Halfway River First Nation

rnotseta@hrfn.ca

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