Majority of MPs vote down Conservative motion calling for private property protection

OTTAWA — A majority of the House of Commons voted against a non-binding motion calling on the federal government to take action to protect private property from First Nations land claims.

The Conservatives introduced and voted for the motion, while the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Québécois all voted against it.

The issue 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.