Indigenous Relations

Participate in BCUC Activities

By participating in a BCUC process, Indigenous individuals and organizations can share their unique perspectives and help inform BCUC recommendations and decisions. Get involved by:

• Requesting Intervener Status
  Actively participate, ask questions, and provide responses to the BCUC.

• Submitting a Letter of Comment
  Share views, opinions, and insights about a matter under review.

• Subscribing to a Proceeding
  Receive email notifications when public information is posted in a proceeding.

Funding Pilot Program

The BCUC has established a pilot program that aims to reduce financial barriers for Indigenous governments and organizations to participate as interveners in BCUC proceedings. Eligible Indigenous participants can receive up to $5,000 to assist with proceeding costs. Learn more in our Indigenous Intervener Capacity Funding (IICF) fact sheet or IICF Program Guidelines.

The BCUC and Reconciliation

Regulating public utilities has an impact on all Indigenous people living in BC. As such, the BCUC has the opportunity to support reconciliation through the work that we do each day, and we strive to do just that. This is an ongoing process, and we will continue to seek out new and innovative ways to improve inclusivity and accessibility. We welcome your feedback and input!

Below are some of the recent initiatives that we have undertaken:

2024

• Updated our Reconciliation Policy to better reflect the feedback we received from Indigenous groups, and to highlight our commitment to advancing the United Nations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• Introduced a new Indigenous Internship/Auxiliary Appointment position.
• In response to input from Indigenous groups, introduced a new Indigenous Intervener Capacity Fund to support Indigenous participation in BCUC proceedings.

2023

• Undertook a review of all policies and procedures to improve accessibility in the context of reconciliation. The review was based on input from Indigenous groups that have participation in BCUC processes.
• The BCUC will work to integrate future input from Indigenous participants on an ongoing basis to support continual improvements.

2022

• Hired a Lead for Indigenous Relations.
• Undertook an Indigenous Participation Survey, which sought input on how to make BCUC processes more inclusive and accessible.
• Initiated Indigenous awareness training for all Commissioners and staff.

2020

• Concluded a first-of-its-kind Inquiry into the Regulation of Indigenous Utilities, which put forward 35 recommendations related to supporting Indigenous participation in the regulation of public utilities and Indigenous self-determination.

BCUC Jurisdiction and Crown Consultation

The BCUC is an independent agency of the provincial government, and it does not have the jurisdiction to engage in consultation or to discharge the Crown’s duty to consult related to its decisions or applications made by public utilities.

However, the BCUC does have the jurisdiction to consider the adequacy of Crown consultation in relation to applications from regulated entities. The BC government may delegate aspects of consultation related to a project application from a regulated entity. Project applications may include constructing, purchasing, or operating utility infrastructure. The application should describe the consultation that has been undertaken, as outlined in the BCUC’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Application Guidelines.

If a regulated entity views that consultation with First Nations is not required for its application, it must provide supporting reasons to the BCUC. Note: BC Hydro is required to provide additional consultation information as outlined in the BCUC First Nations Information Filing Guidelines for Crown Utilities.

Contact Us

For more information, please contact Jeremy Cairns, Indigenous Relations Lead, at Indigenous.Relations@bcuc.com.