NEW WESTMINSTER - A class-action lawsuit has been filed in the B.C. Supreme Court against the provincial and federal governments. The lawsuit claims that these governments were aware of unresolved Indigenous land claims that could jeopardize property ownership in Canada. The case was initiated this week in New Westminster, B.C., following a recent court ruling that recognized the Cowichan Tribes' title over a significant area of land in Richmond, B.C.

The lawsuit alleges that this ruling has resulted in both economic and psychological harm to the members of the proposed class. One of the plaintiffs, Jasjeet Grewal, asserts that he owns property in British Columbia and now faces uncertainty regarding the title to his land. He stated, "All properties in British Columbia are now subject to claims of pre-existing Aboriginal title."

Another plaintiff, identified as John Doe, is an unnamed property owner in Richmond whose land is directly affected by the Cowichan Tribes' decision. The lawsuit contends that class members purchased their properties under the belief that the government land title system was secure. It also argues that the reconciliation obligations of the federal and provincial governments may necessitate restrictions on land use, tenure, or compensation.

Additionally, the lawsuit claims that the government collected taxes and fees from property owners based on "inflated or misinformed property values." This has led owners to invest in their properties under the false assurance of stability and long-term value.

As of now, the defendant governments have not issued a response to the lawsuit. The allegations presented in the case have yet to be tested or proven in court.

This legal action highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Indigenous land rights and property ownership in British Columbia, as the implications of the Cowichan Tribes' title recognition continue to unfold.