Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie has alerted residents about potential impacts on their property ownership due to a recent B.C. Supreme Court ruling regarding Cowichan Nation land title. The decision grants the Cowichan Nation title to significant portions of southeast Richmond and fishing rights in the Fraser River. In response, Brodie announced a public information session scheduled for October 28 at Richmond City Hall to discuss the ruling's implications.

Brodie’s letter to residents included a draft map highlighting the areas affected by the court's decision, as well as another area currently under appeal by Cowichan First Nations. He expressed concern that many residents were unaware of the legal proceedings that could affect their properties. "Hundreds of people had no idea that there was any kind of case in court, and they had no idea that people were arguing about whether Aboriginal title affected their property," Brodie stated.

The August 7 ruling confirmed Aboriginal title over fee-simple lands, which are privately owned. This decision marks a first in Canada and could set a precedent for future court challenges regarding privately owned lands. Justice Barbara Young, in her ruling, stated that the Crown’s grants of fee simple did not extinguish Cowichan Aboriginal title and represented "unjustifiable infringements of Cowichan Aboriginal title." She declared all properties held by federal Crown entities and the City of Richmond as "defective and invalid," emphasizing the Crown's obligation to negotiate in good faith towards reconciling these interests with Cowichan Aboriginal title.

Richmond city councillor and former B.C. attorney general Kash Heed criticized Brodie’s letter as premature. He expressed confidence that the Appeal Court would overturn Justice Young's decision. "Justice Barbara Young absolutely erred in her decision and I strongly believe the Appeal Court will overturn the decision," Heed said. He also noted that the letter could mislead the public by highlighting areas that were part of the original claim but not included in the ruling.

Brodie defended the necessity of the information meeting, stating that the ruling raises serious concerns for individuals looking to buy or sell property in the area. "This is the biggest investment many people have in their lives," he said. He warned that potential buyers might hesitate to purchase properties now that they are aware of the Aboriginal title implications. "It could have a very significant effect on sales," Brodie added, noting that residents are "upset in the extreme."

The implications of this ruling extend beyond Richmond, as Brodie pointed out that it could set a precedent where Aboriginal title may override private property rights. "It could affect the rest of the province, and it could affect the rest of the country," he said.

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad has also weighed in, calling for Premier David Eby to pause all negotiations between the Province and First Nations until the Supreme Court of Canada provides clarity on the matter. The Musqueam and Tsawwassen First Nations, along with the federal and provincial governments, the City of Richmond, and the Vancouver-Fraser Port Authority, opposed the Cowichan Nation’s claim during the lengthy trial.

The City of Richmond has filed an appeal against the decision, arguing that it undermines B.C.’s land-title system. Additionally, on September 5, the Musqueam band filed an appeal, citing their own claims over fishing rights. The provincial government has expressed strong disagreement with the ruling, stating that it could have significant unintended consequences for fee simple private property rights in B.C. that need to be reconsidered by a higher court. Due to a labor dispute with Canada Post, Brodie’s letter was delivered to affected property owners by hand, according to a spokesperson for the mayor's office.