RICHMOND, B.C. — Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie expressed frustration over the lack of dialogue with First Nations regarding a recent B.C. Supreme Court ruling that could impact private property rights across the province. "We’re having a sit down and talk with the First Nations — but so far, all that they’ve said is ‘we’re overreacting,’" Brodie told reporters before a public hearing on the case, Cowichan v. Canada, held Tuesday night.

Brodie described the ruling as a "complete and utter shock" that threatens the land title system in British Columbia, which has been in place for over a century. The hearing, attended by a large crowd, was marked by themes of anger and blame, with little focus on reconciliation. No representatives from the Cowichan Nation spoke at the event, and the term "reconciliation" was mentioned only a few times.

The hearing was moved from city hall to a ballroom at the Sheraton airport hotel due to high public interest. Among the attendees were Spencer Chandra-Herbert, the province’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad. Premier Eby did not attend. Richmond RCMP officers were present outside the venue, monitoring the situation as attendees arrived.

Participants received briefing papers summarizing the legal decision, a map of the Tl’uqtinus (Cowichan) claim area, and an op-ed by former chief provincial treaty negotiator Robin Junger. The materials encouraged residents to contact their elected officials, stating, "Change begins when citizens speak up."

Last week, the city sent a letter to 150 registered property owners, warning them about the potential negative effects of the court ruling on their property titles. The letter was later described by the Cowichan Nation as "inflammatory." The hearing drew a crowd that was predominantly over the age of 50, with many residents expressing concern about the ruling.

As the event began, Mayor Brodie reminded attendees that the proceedings were intended to be civil and straightforward, not a debate. Several residents whose properties are directly affected by the ruling had pre-registered to speak for three minutes each.

The evening started with a presentation from Brodie and Tony Capuccinello Iraci, the city’s solicitor. They outlined Richmond's plan to appeal the ruling and seek a stay application to pause the Cowichan v. Canada case until the appeal is resolved. They indicated that the appeal process could take about a year, and if unsuccessful, an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada could extend the case by several more years.

As the hearing progressed, tensions were palpable, with some attendees expressing their desire to mobilize against the Cowichan Nation's claims. The atmosphere reflected the deep divisions and concerns surrounding the implications of the court's decision on property rights in the region.