Completing treaties with First Nations in B.C. sooner rather than later yields the most benefit for First Nations and the province, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.
The report found that if all 60 First Nations currently in the B.C. treaty process completed their treaties by 2025, the First Nations could receive a net financial benefit of $10.28 billion.
B.C. could receive $6.4 billion in economic benefits after deducting $3.9 billion in settlement costs. Total wage income in B.C. could rise by more than $14 billion over a 40-year period.
The report suggests the total net economic boost to the province from completing treaties is significantly higher than the actual costs the B.C. government will pay to settle treaties.
The report, unlike previous studies, was based on results from actual final agreements with the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation(1), the Maa-nulth First Nations and the Tsawwassen First Nation.