Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to protect private property rights after a major British Columbia Supreme Court decision.
Speaking in Richmond, Poilievre said the federal government should make it clear that private property ownership comes before other land claims. He argued that strong property rights are important for a stable democracy and said it is a problem that these rights are not clearly written in Canada’s Constitution.
The debate follows a 2025 court ruling that recognized Aboriginal title for the Quw’utsun First Nation over parts of land that include some privately owned areas. The judge said private ownership is not cancelled, but governments must work with the First Nation to find a way for both rights to exist.
The federal and provincial governments, along with the city, are appealing the decision.
Poilievre warned the ruling could weaken property rights and affect other land claims in B.C. He is calling on the government to clearly defend private ownership and to launch a parliamentary study on how to protect property rights across Canada.
