**B.C. Conservative Leader Proposes Constitutional Amendment on Property Rights** British Columbia Conservative Party Leader John Rustad is advocating for a constitutional amendment to protect private property rights. He argues that this change is necessary to prevent potential legal challenges stemming from recent Indigenous land rights rulings. In a recent interview, Rustad expressed concerns about a ruling from the B.C. Supreme Court that recognized unextinguished Aboriginal title to land currently held by the federal government and the City of Richmond. This ruling, made by Justice Barbara Young, pertains to 298 hectares of land on the Fraser River, which was deemed unlawfully taken from the Cowichan Nation and its allied tribes in the 1800s. Rustad claims that without constitutional protection, property owners in major cities like Vancouver could face court orders to buy back their homes from First Nations. He stated, "What we really need to be having a conversation about is changing our Constitution. We should actually be looking at enshrining private property rights in our Constitution." The Cowichan Nation's claim specifically excluded privately-held property, and Justice Young exempted these parcels from her ruling. Furthermore, she suspended her decision for 18 months to allow for negotiations among the involved parties. Rustad criticized the British Columbia New Democratic Party government for not appealing the ruling. Instead, he suggested they should seek a direct reference to the Supreme Court of Canada to clarify whether private property rights extinguish Aboriginal title in overlapping areas. He raised concerns about the implications of Aboriginal title, stating, "Potentially every community in the province could be Aboriginal title. Can you imagine what the compensation for, let’s say, downtown Vancouver would be, and whether the people of British Columbia and the people of Canada could afford to pay that compensation?" While Rustad's proposal aims to address fears surrounding property rights, legal experts note that private property rights are not absolute. In both Canada and the United States, property owners are entitled to due process, and various legal frameworks exist that can affect property rights. The ongoing discussions about Indigenous land rights and property ownership continue to evolve, with significant implications for communities across British Columbia. As the situation develops, the balance between Indigenous rights and private property interests remains a contentious issue.