FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 6, 2026, VANCOUVER, BC—British Columbia stands at a critical tipping point where our history of denial has finally collided with our economic future.

Unlike the rest of Canada, where the Crown negotiated treaties as settlement moved west, this province was largely built on a regime that refused to recognize pre-existing Indigenous title. This failure to address the “Land Question” is our province’s original sin and–for generations–we have collectively kicked the can of reconciliation down the road.

By dragging our feet on the hard work of negotiation, we have left the heavy lifting to the courts, which are now providing answers that many find jarring. Recent landmark rulings, such as the Cowichan Tribes decision, have confirmed that Aboriginal title is a right to the land itself that can exist even over heavily developed private (fee simple) property. 

While legal experts clarify that title and private ownership can coexist (they point to the Haida Agreement as a practical blueprint for this coexistence by explicitly guaranteeing that private property rights will be honoured and continue to be governed under provincial jurisdiction) the lack of provincial leadership has created a narrative vacuum where misinformation and “economic anxiety” run rampant.

For everyday British Columbians, this isn’t just a legal debate; it is an economic crisis. Uncertainty about where Indigenous rights apply discourages the very investment our province needs to thrive. Our vital resource sectors, including forestry and mining, are effectively locking up because the government continues to grant permits under archaic laws that fail to meet modern consent standards. When property becomes illiquid because lenders are afraid to lend and developers are afraid to build, every resident suffers the consequences of a stagnating economy.

Unfortunately, we are currently stuck between an incompetent government and extremist alternatives. Premier Eby’s recent attempt to amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) at “warp speed” is a desperate move to bypass the courts. Critics warn this will only lead to more litigation and instability. Meanwhile, others engage in “bar talk” solutions and culture wars that do nothing to provide the legal certainty required for prosperity.

We cannot afford more regulatory ambiguity or political theater. True prosperity for both settlers and First Nations requires serious, committed, skilled people to pursue honourable, good-faith negotiations that result in “living agreements” rather than decades of fighting. 

Modern treaties (think Nisga’a, Tsawwassen, Maa-nulth and Tla’amin Nations) have already proven to be meaningful drivers of growth, delivering measurable financial returns and community stability.

We must do the hard work of building understanding, cooperation, and truth. If we continue to choose fear over facts and litigation over leadership, our economic sovereignty will continue to erode. We need smart government that puts people first and finally secures a balanced, sustainable future for all our children and grandchildren.

CentreBC, March 2026