iN NUMBERS: How British Columbians feel about UNDRIP

Pollster Angus Reid asked British Columbians about the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and respondents were torn. 

Most folks think there should be a referendum on how the declaration, also referred to as UNDRIP, affects laws in B.C.

Here are the numbers: 

• 60: Per cent of British Columbians would support a province-wide referendum on the declaration’s influence on the law.
• 28: Per cent of British Columbians said they have heard of the declaration and are familiar with what it means.
• 33: Per cent of respondents said they had never heard of the declaration.
• 62: Per cent of British Columbians had heard of the declaration, the highest rate out of any province.
• 44: Per cent said the declaration goes too far in limiting provincial authority over land and resources.
• 76: Per cent of BC Conservatives said the declaration goes too far in limiting provincial authority over land and resources.
• 18: Per cent of people in the Interior think the BC government should share public land decision making with First Nations, but the Indigenous communities should have the final say.
• 29: Per cent of people in the Interior think the BC government should share public land decision making with First Nations, but the provincial government should have the final say. 
• 48: Per cent of people who are familiar with the declaration said it’s necessary.
• 50: Per cent of people who were not familiar with the declaration said it goes too far.