The specific reasons why local governments can legally hold secret meetings are being broadened under a bill introduced this week to include dealings with First Nations.

“These changes give First Nations and local governments the space to discuss culturally sensitive and confidential information related to government-to-government negotiations without fear of harm,” was the government’s rationale.

But any move to make in-camera meetings easier to conduct than they already are needs a hard look. With the NDP’s track record of ­opacity and non-disclosure when it comes to First Nations land-use agreements, this bill needs some scrutiny.

The government made the best case they could for the change and released a long list of municipal leaders who endorse it. The idea, in fact, emerged from local governments. There are two Union of B.C. Municipalities resolutions in recent years requesting it and First Nations leadership have also cited the need to discuss some matters privately.

The key reason is that “it makes it easier to........

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