Poilievre taps BC MP to lead task force on protecting property rights

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has tapped British Columbia MP Tako Van Popta to lead a new task force on protecting property rights.

The move comes amid uncertainty regarding Aboriginal title cases and their potential impacts on private land.

"A major issue in BC is property rights and home ownership," Poilievre said during a press conference on Thursday, noting that the Cowichan Decision represents "a foundational shift."

He claimed that it "threatens home ownership of thousands of people by prioritizing Aboriginal title over private property rights," citing the case of a company that failed to secure $100 millions in financing due to lender hesitancy.

Poilievre explained that under Van Popta's leadership, the task force would focus on the implications of the Cowichan Decision, the Musqueam Agreement, and "other Aboriginal title disputes and negotiations."

"In this role, [Van Popta] will examine and bring to light the extent to which legal interpretations and federal arguments have eroded property rights and reconciliation," he continued. "He will explore legislative and constitutional options necessary to protect property rights and home ownership."

Poilievre announced that the task force would "put forth the argument that no further treaties should be signed that do not include explicit property rights protections."

In a letter to Van Popta, he further outlined the goals of the task force, which includes "publishing a plan by May 9 to protect property rights for Canadians affected by the Cowichan decision and Musqueam agreement," and "convening a Parliamentary committee to study all legal, constitutional and political steps to protect private property rights in Canada."

"Canada must pursue reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, but these decisions are moving in the opposite direction," Poilievre added. "The result is confusion, economic paralysis and a step backwards for all. Canadians need the certainty that comes with knowing their homes and property are theirs, and that no government will allow them to be argued away."

Van Popta, who represents Langley-Aldergrove, said he was "very pleased" to be leading the new task force, and wasted no time taking aim at the Cowichan Decision.

"For the first time, a Canadian court has declared Aboriginal title on privately-held lands," he said. "That's never been done before. It is not necessary for reconciliation."

The myriad land claims making their way through the courts has drawn attention to Indigenous relations in BC. At the core of that is the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, a piece of legislation that passed unanimously in 2019 but has recently come under scrutiny due to the Gitxaala Decision, which ruled that all laws must align with DRIPA.

Earlier this week, BC Premier David Eby announced that he would not be pausing or amending DRIPA, despite numerous promises to do so. Instead, he will be working in collaboration with First Nations chiefs to chart a path forward by the end of summer.