VANCOUVER - First Nations leaders in British Columbia say provincial Conservative leader John Rustad is using "dangerous and cynical rhetoric" in his response to a landmark court decision that recognizes Aboriginal title of the Cowichan Tribes over private and government-owned land in Richmond, B.C.

The council says Rustad's request for an immediate pause on all negotiations between the province and First Nations until Canada's High Court gives clarity on the ruling stokes "baseless fears" and weaponizes the basic rights of First Nations.

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma told Rustad in the legislature on Monday that the province was the first to appeal the case to defend the rights of property owners, and Rustad's suggestion to send the case directly to the Supreme Court of Canada for a

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