In newly released documents, the BC Government has revealed 135,425 hectares of provincial Crown land that is anticipated to be transferred to twenty First Nation bands.
The numbers were released Monday in the Public Accounts for 2025/26, and were first identified by independent BC journalist Bob Mackin.
The Public Accounts, released today, include a list of provincial Crown land to be transferred to First Nations. #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/ShuegO8HH6
— Bob Mackin (@bobmackin) August 10, 2026
The largest transfer is nearly 46,000 hectares to the Kitsumkalum, located near Terrace, followed by over 35,000 hectares to the Kitselas located in the same area. At the other end, the smallest transfer is 47 hectares to the Tla-o-qui-aht on the west of Vancouver Island.
A hectare is equivalent to 10,000 square metres.
Maps detailing the specific lands to be transferred are not included in the Public Accounts.
The Public Accounts specifies that there will also be implementation costs which “may result in compensation to third parties,” but adds that those costs “are not determinable at this time.”
The disclosure also notes that the transfers are specific to those First Nation bands that have willingly entered into negotiations with the provincial government, and do not include potential land transfers coming about from litigation. In addition, the disclosure does not include any federal Crown land that might be transferred.
Update: The BC Conservatives responded late Monday, saying the total amount of land potentially being transferred to First Nations could amount to 24 million acres, with Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay calling it a "direct betrayal of our democracy":
“Handing over public assets at this vast scale in secret deals is a direct betrayal of our democracy that treats British Columbians, who own this province, as non-existent,” said Findlay. “And what is worse, this is only the beginning. There are still over 150 Indigenous bands in B.C. still to be dealt with. There will be nothing left of B.C. by the time they are finished. The NDP must immediately halt all land transfers, recall the Legislature to repeal DRIPA, repeal these unfounded agreements, and start the process over this time with full transparency instead of these backroom handovers.”
