OTTAWA — Members of Parliament are set to hold a non-binding vote today on a contentious question of private property rights.

The Conservatives have introduced a motion calling on Ottawa to protect private property in all future agreements with First Nations.

The motion stems from a 2025 B.C. Supreme Court ruling that confirmed the Cowichan Tribes hold Aboriginal title over about 300 hectares of land in Richmond, B.C.

The ruling led to questions about how Aboriginal title and private property rights can coexist.

B.C. and the Cowichan Tribes have both said they do not want to invalidate any privately held fee simple titles on the lands covered by the court decision.

The federal Conservatives want to create a special committee to study the legal, constitutional and political steps that could be taken to protect private property rights.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2026.

Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press