Ottawa, ON – For over eight months, Conservatives have been calling for decisive action after the Cowichan Tribes v Canada ruling created tremendous uncertainty for property owners in Richmond and across British Columbia. Today, Liberals had a chance to vote in favour of protecting property rights, but once again chose to betray businesses, homeowners and property owners facing loss of their title.
While Carney’s Liberals continue to refuse to stand up for the foundation of our economy, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre visited the Lower Mainland to rally support for a motion that would have protected private property rights. The motion called on the government to:
- Put private property first by directing federal lawyers to argue that fee simple title takes priority over all other claims, and repeal Litigation Guideline #14 that currently bans them from doing so;
- Require explicit property protections in all future federal agreements with First Nations so that fee simple property rights are enshrined;
- Publish a plan within 30 days to protect Canadians affected by property rights risks after Cowichan and the Musqueam Rights Recognition Agreement; and
- Appoint a special committee to study every legal, constitutional and political step that parliament can and should take to protect private property rights in Canada.
Despite claiming that property rights are “fundamental,” Carney has failed to turn his words into action by changing his government’s position in litigation. While property owners and businesses grapple with uncertainty, Liberals refuse to change their litigation guidelines or how they negotiate agreements to set a clear policy response to these issues.
British Columbians can’t afford a federal government set on being a passive player when land claims cover almost the entire province. Yet today, the Liberals showed yet again that they won’t take action to protect Canadians’ property rights.
Only Conservatives will put property rights first, defend owners and restore the promise of Canada: a country that is affordable at home, safe at home and strong at home.