B.C. Conservative Rustad stoking 'baseless' land ruling fears: First Nations leaders

VANCOUVER - First Nations leaders in British Columbia say provincial Conservative leader John Rustad is using "dangerous and cynical rhetoric" in his response to a landmark court decision that recognizes Aboriginal title of the Cowichan Tribes over private and government-owned land in Richmond, B.C.

The council says Rustad's request for an immediate pause on all negotiations between the province and First Nations until Canada's High Court gives clarity on the ruling stokes "baseless fears" and weaponizes the basic rights of First Nations.