Erosion of trust in government consultation will impede the creation of environmental policy

Abstract

Conflicts over resource are becoming increasingly frequent as human development accelerates and resource limitations become evident. The impact of these conflicts is felt disproportionately by Indigenous Peoples, who despite international recognition that they must be consulted over resource extraction, have not been adequately included in policy development. As creation of effective environmental policy relies on meaningful consultation of all stakeholders, there is now a global outcry surrounding this eroded process. In British Columbia, Canada, a lack of meaningful government consultation has resulted in the approval of large-scale developments (the Site C Hydroelectric Dam and the Pacific Northwest Liquefied Natural Gas terminal) that are directly opposed by multiple stakeholders (First Nations, the academic community, conservation organizations, and other concerned citizens). A key component of the consultation process, trust, is explored here. Specifically, how poor government consultation erodes stakeholder trust in the consultation process. This trust is essential if holistic environmental policy, policy that protects both the environment and the economy, is to be created.