The Conservatives’ landslide election victory in British Columbia has raised mining industry hopes for faster permits and stronger exploration incentives, while setting up a clash over plans to repeal the province’s Indigenous-rights law. Lorne Doerkson’s party led in 63 of 93 ridings, against 28 for the governing New Democratic Party (NDP) and two for the Greens, according to Elections BC’s preliminary count updated Sunday. The Conservatives had 48% of the vote. Final counting is scheduled for Nov. 6. Outgoing Premier David Eby said he would resign as NDP leader after Saturday’s defeat. “British Columbians have elected a government that has made mining a priority and our members are ready to help deliver on that,” Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) president and CEO Todd Stone said in a statement on Sunday. For explorers and developers, the test is whether the new government can turn campaign promises into predictable approvals without deepening disputes over land and consultation. Red Cloud Securities called the result positive for permitting and investor sentiment but warned that repeal could shift uncertainty from the legislature to the courts. Permit pledges The Conservatives’ platform promises legislated approval timelines, a single review for each project and quarterly progress reports. Exploration permits would face deadlines matching or beating competing Canadian jurisdictions. The party pledged to expand the provincial Mining Exploration Tax Credit and press Ottawa to extend flow-through eligibility to engineering and feasibility work. For operating mines and smelters, it promised competitive electricity and carbon costs, alongside fixed timelines for operating permits and mine-life extensions. Roads, rail and ports serving mineral districts would be treated as “provincially significant” infrastructure. AME welcomed the permitting and tax commitments, while calling for reliable land access built on early partnerships with First Nations. Ahead of the election, the association sought amendments to the Indigenous-rights law and the Interpretation Act, rather than repeal. The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) congratulated Doerkson and the Conservatives on their majority, saying the incoming government could help increase mining investment, government revenue and jobs. It looked forward to working with the government on responsible resource development, the association said in a LinkedIn post. New projects MABC’s policy priorities include faster permits, more funding for First Nations to participate in reviews, skills training and expanded electricity and transport infrastructure. The association identifies permitting delays as the province’s biggest barrier to mining development. Its May economic assessment identified 31 proposed new mines and expansions across B.C., including 20 critical mineral projects. The association says the existing industry supports more than 56,000 jobs. The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade urged the incoming government to reduce regulatory barriers to investment in resource and other major projects. It also sought permanent cancellation of the proposed provincial sales tax expansion to professional services and removal of the tax on machinery and equipment. Shorter, fixed permit timelines could benefit developers such as Seabridge Gold (TSX: SEA; NYSE: SA) at KSM and Spanish Mountain Gold (TSXV: SPA) at its namesake project, Red Cloud said in a note on Monday. Tax incentives and clearer land access would matter more for earlier-stage explorers, it added. “The change in tone is real and will lift sentiment quickly, especially among investors who have avoided B.C. over permitting and title,” Red Cloud said. “But that money leaves as fast as it comes.” Rights dispute The Conservatives pledged to repeal the 2019 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, known as DRIPA, and section 8.1 of the Interpretation Act. Their platform also commits to respecting constitutional rights and the duty to consult and accommodate First Nations where required. DRIPA requires B.C. to align its laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, while section 8.1 requires them to be interpreted consistently with it; AME says this has pushed even small exploration permits toward seeking First Nations consent, increasing delays and uncertainty. The First Nations Leadership Council urged the incoming government to retain the Declaration Act, saying it offers a framework for reconciliation and certainty. The council represents the political executives of the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “We are at a historical crossroads: Battleground B.C. or reconciliation through the principles and road map of the Declaration Act,” Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, said in the council’s post-election statement. Duty to consult Repeal would not remove the constitutional duty to consult, Red Cloud cautioned. Since March 26 last year, B.C. has required consultation before new mineral claims are registered, responding to a 2023 court ruling against the previous automatic registration system. That process is distinct from obtaining permission to drill or build a mine. The legal dispute remains before the courts. The Supreme Court of Canada agreed on May 21 to hear B.C.’s appeal of a December ruling that its mineral claims system was inconsistent with the UN declaration, which the appeal court found DRIPA had incorporated into provincial law. Investors should watch the first budget for the size of the exploration-credit increase and the legislature for permitting deadlines and any replacement consultation process, Red Cloud said. “Whether this works out well for B.C. mining depends less on repealing DRIPA than on whether the new government can get permits out on time with First Nations on side,” its analysts wrote.
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