WHAT ARE TREATIES?
Treaties are constitutionally protected, government-to-government agreements creating long-term, mutually binding commitments. Treaties negotiated through the BC treaty process will identify, define and implement a range of rights and obligations, including existing and future interests in land, sea and resources, structures and authorities of governments, regulatory processes, amending processes, dispute resolution, financial compensation and fiscal relations. Treaties signed with aboriginal people in Canada between 1701 and 1923 are commonly referred to as historic treaties; treaties negotiated today are known as modern treaties. Modern treaties deal with areas of Canada where treaties were never signed with aboriginal peoples, like most parts of British Columbia.
