Aboriginal title can’t be declared over private land, Supreme Court of Canada rules

By Global News

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The Supreme Court of Canada has upheld a ruling that Aboriginal title cannot be declared over private land, in a decision the federal government says will have an impact on the Cowichan Tribes case in British Columbia. The refusal by Canada’s High Court to hear a First Nation’s appeal against the decision in New Brunswick establishes a precedent that First Nations can seek compensation for loss of traditional lands, but they will not be able to assert ownership. The Crown-Indigenous Relations Department says the ruling will inform arguments in other cases, including Cowichan, adding that “private property rights are fundamental." The B.C. Supreme Court’s ruling in favour of the Cowichan Nation found it had “established Aboriginal title” to more than 5.7 square kilometres of land along the Fraser River in Richmond. The provincial and federal governments and other First Nations are appealing that decision. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/11872287/aborigina

Tags: global news, Global BC, British Columbia, Richmond BC, Cowichan tribes, Supreme Court of Canada Aboriginal land title, Aboriginal land title, BC land title, Indigenous issues, Aboriginal land title Supreme Court ruling