Rob Shaw: B.C. court ruling puts Aboriginal title above private property rights

It will take time to fully understand the implications of a landmark court ruling that appears to place Aboriginal title in British Columbia above standard private property rights.

But already, there’s a fierce political debate.

The B.C. Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Cowichan Tribes holds title over federal, city and private land in Richmond that it historically used as a fishing village. This title sits higher in the legal hierarchy than fee simple land rights of other current owners. The ruling could set a precedent that fundamentally changes the security of standard private property in B.C.

“This ruling just cracked open the door for your land title to mean nothing,” Opposition Conservative MLA Harman Banghu posted on social media.

“Allowing this decision to stand will only