To all our members and dock owners—thank you for your generous financial support in our legal challenge of DRIPA in the BC Supreme Court. Your commitment has made it possible for us to take a strong stand.
But the fight is far from over. We’re now entering a new phase—one that depends on building province-wide awareness and support. Our small community cannot carry this burden alone. To succeed, we urgently need the attention, voices, and financial backing of British Columbians across the province.
The future of land use decisions in BC is at stake—not just here, but everywhere. Please help us by forwarding the message below to your friends, family, and networks outside the Sunshine Coast to make sure the rest of BC understands what’s happening—and why it matters to them.
Thank you again for your ongoing support.
Stand Up for BC’s Public Lands and Democratic Rights
As you may be aware, last year, the BC government attempted to amend the Land Act, enabling First Nations veto power over Crown land decisions without any public consultation or debate. This would have created a new, unelected tier of government, wielding authority over our public lands. Thanks to public outcry and pressure from grassroots groups like the Pender Harbour and Area Residents Association (PHARA), the plan was temporarily shelved. Now it’s back—in another form.
Under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), the BC government is now quietly negotiating agreements with the shíshálh Nation to explore exclusive statutory decision-making powers and recognizing Aboriginal title on the Sunshine Coast.
This is not just about the Sunshine Coast. It’s about the future of land use, governance, and accountability across all of British Columbia. The BC government’s current approach risks dividing communities and overriding the rights of all British Columbians and must be challenged.
To be clear, the Sunshine Coast’s PHARA, the lead group opposing DRIPA, has made it clear that they fully support reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights —but that the process and decisions must be transparent, democratic, and within the framework of Canada’s Constitution. PHARA firmly believes DRIPA does not align with the Canadian constitution and that is the reason they have filed a petition opposing the DRIPA in the BC Supreme court.
PHARA is standing up for your rights. They’ve already won a major victory by pressuring the government to rescind an Order in Council that would have given the shíshálh Nation joint decision-making control (i.e. veto) with the province over dock authorizations on the Sunshine coast.
PHARA remains willing to move forward with this litigation for the benefit of all British Columbians. If you believe in open government, rule of law, and protecting the rights of all citizens. Your support is essential to their efforts. If they cannot raise the funds required and do not get enough public support, their case will not proceed. This small community group cannot do this on its own.
Please help the legal challenge by forwarding this message to your friends, family, and networks. The future of land use decisions in BC is at stake—not just on the Sunshine Coast.
For more information about PHARA’s petition and their legal challenge, click here. PHARA has also initiated a GoFundMe campaign. Please click here to donate.
The Board
PHARA
