WATCH: Eby says gov't ditching plan to suspend DRIPA in favour of 'collaboration' with First Nations chiefs

VICTORIA — Premier David Eby has confirmed that his government will not be introducing legislation this session to suspend or amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, better known as DRIPA.

He will instead be working in collaboration with First Nations chiefs to chart a path forward by the end of summer.

"The Governemnt of BC will not be introducing legislation to suspend or amend DRIPA or UN Declaration-related provisions in the Interpretation Act, in the Spring legislative session," the government wrote in a joint statement with the First Nations Leadership Council. "Government and [FNLC] are committed to working together with all First Nations leaders, on a path forward to discuss and consider the Government's stated legal concerns while upholding the title and rights and human rights of First Nations."

They both vowed to engage in "genuine collaboration to find solutions as soon as possible, and before the Fall legislative session."

During a brief scrum before Question Period on Monday, Premier Eby admitted that this has been "the most challenging issue I've worked on in government."

"It is absolutely possible as a leader to move off confidently in the wrong direction," he admitted, explaining that his government was "prepared to introduce legislation today" to "put a hold," on DRIPA, but that "a series of calls" with FNLC chiefs changed his mind.

In an open letter to MLAs on Sunday, the FNLC warned that any changes to DRIPA would be met with "collective resistance." Premier Eby said that did not impact his decision to back off, but noted "there is a very real threat to our province in continued conflict with First Nations."

The move comes amid uncertainty regarding how the government would move forward. Premier Eby first declared that amending DRIPA was "urgent," then backed down from introducing legislation that would have resulted in a confidence vote, then signalled the government would try to suspend the act, and now changed course and said nothing would be introduced this session.