First Nations land title ruling prompts disinformation, captures public interest as gov’t appeals
Posted October 30, 2025 1:20 pm.
Last Updated October 30, 2025 1:54 pm.
Misinformation is swirling as the Lower Mainland reacts to a landmark court ruling that confirmed Aboriginal rights and title over an area of private and government-owned land in Richmond.
The Aug. 7 B.C. Supreme Court ruling says Cowichan Tribes have Aboriginal title over a portion of land on the Fraser River; that Crown and city titles on the land are defective and invalid; and the granting of private titles by the government unjustifiably infringed on Cowichan Tribes’ title.
Among the fallout, the City of North Vancouver is warning of a fake letter, claiming that the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations have started legal processes affecting North Vancouver properties.
The city was quick to say the letter, which is marked with City of North Vancouver letterhead, was fraudulent.
“If you have received this letter or see it online please disregard.”
Earlier this week, the Quw’utsun Nation responded to political leaders, including Premier David Eby and Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, opposing what it calls “misleading” and “deliberately inflammatory” messages.
A media release from the nation’s chiefs says the ruling “has not and does not challenge the effectiveness or validity of any title held by individual private landowners. The ruling does not erase private property.”
Eby said Wednesday his government will be asking for a stay of the implementation of the ruling, hoping the Court of Appeal will provide some “clarity and assistance” on the direction of the case.
Meanwhile, the issue has significantly captured the attention of British Columbians. A new poll from the Angus Reid Institute shows 52 per cent of respondents are following the ruling “closely or very closely.“
Including the respondents not following the issue closely, two thirds say that the ruling could have serious implications.
Angus Reid Institute President Shachi Kurl points out that opinion splits based on a few notable factors.
“There is a political divide to this, and there is also a divide depending on whether or not you own property,” said Kurl.
The Qu’wutsun nation says British Columbians’ fears around the issue have been stoked by Eby and Brodie.
“We do not wish to deepen division. We are here to build a just future based on truth and reconciliation. One where British Columbia upholds its constitutional obligations,” said Laxele’wuts’aat Chief Shana Thomas of Lyackson First Nation.
The Angus Reid Institute surveyed 1,044 British Columbians online from Oct. 23-25, — days before the Cowichan chiefs published their release. A probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
—With files from The Canadian Press
