B.C. treaty process in limbo after province pulls chief commissioner

The B.C. government’s abrupt decision to rescind its approval of a new B.C. treaty commissioner has opened a significant rift with the federal government and aboriginal groups it says it wants to do business with. But the politics and the personalities involved in the reversal have obscured the government’s intention: To back away from the treaty negotiation process it sees as a costly endeavour that has produced precious few results over the past two decades.

Six months ago, the province sought approval from the federal government and First Nations to appoint George Abbott, a former cabinet minister, to head the commission. Last week, with no warning to its other partners at the table, the province pulled its support for Mr. Abbott, leading to speculation about old wounds from the BC Liberals leadership contest that pitted him against B.C. Premier Christy Clark.

On Wednesday, however, Ms. Clark said she will not appoint anyone to the position of chief commissioner because she doesn’t think the treaty process is working.