A recent B.C. Supreme Court decision recognizing Cowichan Nation land claims has raised concerns about reconciliation and property rights in the province. The ruling affirms Aboriginal title over a portion of Richmond, including areas with privately owned property. Lyackson First Nation Chief Shana Thomas has described the decision as “a step toward reconciliation, not a threat to it,” but a new survey from the Angus Institute indicates many British Columbians disagree.
Three-in-five residents say the ruling could harm relationships between Indigenous groups and the rest of the province. Property owners are particularly concerned, with 66 per cent expressing worry, compared to 48 per cent of non-property owners. The survey also reveals that past BC Conservative voters are the most likely to see a negative impact, with nearly four-in-five sharing that view.
The provincial government has appealed the ruling, citing concerns about “significant unintended consequences” for private property rights. Sixty-one per cent of B.C. residents support the appeal, while 12 per cent oppose it. Opinions on the government’s focus on reconciliation are mixed: 44 per cent say the NDP is “too focused” on the issue, while 27 per cent feel the attention is appropriate, and 13 per cent think it is insufficient.
The survey highlights ongoing divisions in British Columbia over land rights, reconciliation, and property protections as the province navigates these complex legal and social issues.
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