Cowichan Aboriginal title declared in southeast Richmond info session

Richmond’s mayor has notified about 150 property owners that a B.C. Supreme Court decision this summer has declared Aboriginal title for the Cowichan Tribes over roughly 7.5 square kilometres of southeast Richmond, prompting a city information session on Oct. 28 to explain potential impacts on ownership and transactions. The August 7 ruling found that Crown grants of fee simple title in the area unjustifiably infringed Cowichan Aboriginal title, a judgment city officials say could affect homes, farms, municipal and port lands, a golf course and commercial properties.

In her written decision, Justice Barbara Young said, "these interests may be resolved through negotiation, challenged in subsequent litigation, purchased, or remain on the Cowichan Title Lands." The ruling declared some properties held by federal Crown entities and the City of Richmond defective and invalid and ordered parties to seek ways to reconcile fee simple interests with Cowichan title. The judge also suspended the immediate effect of some declarations to allow time for arrangements, according to court documents.

Mayor Malcolm Brodie said the mailed and hand-delivered notices included a draft map of the area...