Ratification Vote This Weekend On K’ómoks Treaty And Constitution

K’ómoks First Nation members are voting this weekend as the Nation works towards self-governance.

The K’ómoks Constitution and Treaty will go to the K’ómoks people for a vote on Saturday March 8th.

Voting will take place from 12-8:00 p.m. at the K’ómoks Administration building at 3330 Comox Road.

The Nation asks Comox Valley residents to use additional caution when travelling Comox Road, as the vote and community activities may increase pedestrian and traffic congestion in the area.

The Nation plans to share preliminary vote results as soon as they are available.

Should residents vote in favour of ratifying the K’ómoks Treaty and Constitution, B.C. and Canada will undergo their own respective ratification approval processes.

That includes introducing provincial, then federal treaty implementation legislation to bring the K’ómoks Treaty into law.

If ratified by all three parties, the treaty is anticipated to have an effective date in 2028.

K’ómoks First Nation has been involved in treaty negotiations since 1994.

There are six stages in the BC treaty process.

In 2012, K’ómoks signed the Agreement in Principle with British Columbia and Canada and entered into Stage 5 negotiations.

Ratifying the Constitution and Treaty this weekend is part of the process.

The treaty recognizes the K’ómoks aboriginal rights and title and the inherent right to self-government.

It reconciles differences over lands and resource ownership and jurisdiction through a new treaty relationship that is flexible and intended to evolve over time.

The treaty includes a commitment to capacity building, and enhanced economic opportunities for K’ómoks, K’ómoks members and the surrounding community— preserving, revitalizing, and strengthening the culture, language, and heritage of the K’ómoks First Nation.

More information on the treaty process can be found at K’ómoks First Nation,