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UNDRIP unknowns

In November, the B.C. government passed legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The following month, on behalf of Bcbusiness, Mustel Group polled 309 business owners and 300 members of the general public across the province on the topic.

Business owners showed greater awareness of UNDRIP than the general public (73 versus 65 percent) and were also more inclined to think it would have a significant impact on the overall economy

(24 compared to 16 percent). Mustel general manager Josh O'neill presumes that is because business owners are more tuned into public policy and legislation that could have implications for their operations.

Although more than half (56.3 percent) of the business owners felt UNDRIP legislation will have at least some impact on the B.C. economy, fewer than a quarter (23.6 percent) believed it will directly affect their own. “This is likely because there are too many unknowns with UNDRIP,” O'neill explains. “At this point, it's unclear how B.C.'S newly introduced UNDRIP legislation might affect existing legislation protecting Indigenous Peoples' rights in Canada—it's simply too early to predict what sort of impact it may have on businesses operating in the province.” ■