SILGA president Bill Sarai (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
By Michael Reeve
Creating Division

SILGA calling on province for proper consultation on Heritage Act changes

May 29, 2026 | 4:42 PM

KAMLOOPS — Acting in his role as president of the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA), Kamloops councillor Bill Sarai is calling for better consultation on Heritage Act conversations with B.C. First Nations. 


Sarai stated the province of B.C. is currently undergoing consultation on changes to the Heritage Act with 200 First Nations communities, but feels the impacts will also be felt in municipalities, saying they deserve a seat at the table with Premier David Eby.

“Truth and reconciliation is a path that we should be taking together, not dividing us, and right now he (Premier Eby) is dividing us, and it’s making it more and more difficult for First Nations and municipalities to form a relationship they don’t previously have,” said Sarai. “But it’s also hurting the relationships that we have built, to a great degree.”

While it may not be feasible to have every B.C. municipality at the table, Sarai believes the five regional government associations, like SILGA, need to be there to express how the changes will impact citizens.

Two & Out
PETERS: Smith needs to make Alberta sovereignty referendum the centre of an election campaign
15h ago
Looped In
LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: May 28, 2026
17h ago
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Why do we need a Red Bridge replacement before a second North Shore crossing?
May 28, 2026

“As the president of SILGA, I’m pleading with him (Premier Eby) to change course and invite the local governments to the table so we are somewhat involved and can inform him that the decisions and the policies they are working on, how they affect the municipal governments on our [Official Community Plans], our permitting, our timelines, and at the end of the day, the taxpayers’ money that is going to be involved in the truth and reconciliation and working with our First Nations neighbours,” said Sarai. 

by Michael Reeve

Our Community

Two & Out
PETERS: Smith needs to make Alberta sovereignty referendum the centre of an election campaign
15h ago
Looped In
LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: May 28, 2026
17h ago
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Why do we need a Red Bridge replacement before a second North Shore crossing?
May 28, 2026
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Powering British Columbia
May 28, 2026
The Creative Edge
PEARCE: Teaching for life, not just tests
May 26, 2026