In British Columbia, property rights are in turmoil. The B.C. Supreme Court recently
declared that Aboriginal title exists on 800 acres of land in Richmond, a suburb of Vancouver. Aboriginal title, said the court, is “senior and prior” to fee simple interests. In the shadow of the decision, given the implications, Aboriginal title claims are receiving more attention. Kamloops and Sun Peaks ski resort are
targets in one such claim. Meanwhile, the B.C. government has been conferring Aboriginal title across the province too. It continues to
make agreements, such as on
Haida Gwaii, to transfer control over land use in the province.
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