VICTORIA B.C. – The BC Greens are calling on the NDP government to implement a Three-Point Reconciliation Plan.
“Since the release of the Cowichan Title decision this past August, the issue of reconciliation, Aboriginal Title, and private fee simple title has been inflamed by this government’s inadequate response and opposition parties’ misinformation and disinformation,” said Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.
“When there are threats to progress on reconciliation such as these political responses, we must respond with immediate and proportionate action,” added Botterell. “We need to do much more. That’s why I am calling on the BC Government and opposition parties to support the implementation of a three-point plan that provides clarity and more timely proactive resolution of this issue.”
The BC Greens are calling on the government and opposition parties to support a three-step Reconciliation Plan that includes:
- Activating the All-Party Committee on Aboriginal Affairs. In close consultation and collaboration with First Nations, the Committee would meet at least quarterly to review progress on resolution of the longstanding land question, among other matters related to advancing reconciliation in British Columbia.
- Pursuing a judicial reference to the BC Court of Appeal to obtain an advisory opinion to clarify the status of private fee simple property ownership on lands subject to Aboriginal title. This reference could also clarify the scope of bona fide purchaser protections and establish a clear framework for reconciliation.
- Calling on Party leaders, MLAs, and the Speaker to be accountable for enforcing existing rules on parliamentary language, and conducting a thorough review of the Standing Orders to strengthen prohibitions on anti-Indigenous and racist conduct.
The BC Greens emphasize that the core issue is the unresolved land question—one that has persisted for generations and has been mismanaged by this government before, and pounced on by opposition parties, as former BC Green MLA for Saanich North and the Islands previously warned.
“We have a significant, long-standing land question that must be resolved,” said Botterell. “The Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs should be doing this work. The future of reconciliation needs a forum and dialogue that requires each party to operate in good faith and talk through issues with respect rather than reaction.”
The BC Greens also believe a judicial reference could clarify how Aboriginal title coexists with private land ownership, define bona fide purchaser protections, and provide a clear framework for reconciliation—while avoiding the years-long uncertainty of the full appeals process to the Supreme Court of Canada.
“The Cowichan Nation did not seek to invalidate private fee-simple land titles, nor did the Court make any ruling that would remove people from their homes,” said Botterell. “An appeal would only delay clarity and let this issue fester. Private landowners should not be blamed for poor government consultation or for being misled. Indigenous peoples should not bear the resulting backlash.”
The BC Greens have sent a letter to the Speaker of the House calling for stronger accountability in the Legislature by ensuring Party leaders, MLAs, and the Speaker, enforce existing rules on parliamentary language.
“Unfortunately, the public conversation has become toxic, with trends that risk setting reconciliation back,” Botterell added. “That’s why we believe this three-point plan can reset the tone, reduce tensions, and allow the land question to be addressed in the legislature with First Nations in a depoliticized way.”
-30-
Media contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca