B.C. Deploys Door-to-Door Contact After Richmond Aboriginal Title Ruling

Overview

• The province appointed a community contact to visit homes and businesses in the Richmond title area to hear concerns about mortgages, sales and permits.
• The August ruling recognized Cowichan Tribes’ Aboriginal title over roughly 300 hectares, found Crown and city grants there defective and held that this title is prior to fee-simple ownership.
• Officials say about 45 privately owned properties lie within the title area, with at least 100 more in adjacent zones claimed by the Cowichan but excluded by the judge.
• All parties have filed appeals, and Montrose Properties, the largest private owner in the zone, says it will ask the court to reopen the case after not being a party to the original proceedings.
• The province reports no bank refusals tied to the ruling, with National Bank saying the decision is not a factor in financing, even as owners press tax assessment challenges and question municipal authority.