Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

Indigenous Affairs

During question period, members questioned the government about the Cowichan land rights decision in British Columbia and its effect on private property. Pierre Poilievre asked why, citing a litigation directive, the government’s lawyers had not defended homeowners’ property rights in the case and its appeal. Mark Carney said private property rights are fundamental, that the government had immediately appealed the decision alongside Richmond, other first nations, and British Columbia, and that its agreements protect both private property and Indigenous rights. He also noted the day was Red Dress Day and spoke about the rights of Indigenous peoples.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“The Prime Minister told his lawyers not to defend homeowners' property rights in a British Columbia court case. He is still doing this in the appeal. Why will he not defend homeowners?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister likes to spread the illusion that he is protecting property rights, but the reality is quite the contrary. The Liberal government instructed its lawyers not to defend property rights in the Cowichan case, with litigation directive number 14, which said that in fact those titles did not take priority. Now the dispute is going to an appeal, and the Prime Minister has kept that litigation order in place. In other words, he is directing his lawyers not to defend the property rights of British Columbians. Why is it that the Prime Minister refuses to defend homeowners?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Mark Carney

Liberal
“The government will always protect private property rights. That is why we appealed the Cowichan court decision. Our agreements protect both private property and Indigenous rights. Today is Red Dress Day, and we should focus on the rights of Indigenous peoples.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, private property rights are fundamental in this country. The government will always defend them. That is why we immediately appealed the Cowichan decision on September 8, along with the City of Richmond, along with other first nations and along with the Province of British Columbia. All federal agreements with first nations, with indigenous peoples and with rights holders protect private property rights and protect indigenous peoples’ rights. On Red Dress Day, I think we should spend some time on the rights of indigenous peoples in this country.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“The Prime Minister told his lawyers not to defend the rights of homeowners in British Columbia in court. I want to know why.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister’s answer on property rights is all an illusion. The Liberal government directed its lawyers not to defend property rights. Litigation directive number 14 said that lawyers are not to make the case that fee simple property ownership takes precedence over all other claims. That directive is still on the government website, meaning that in all the litigation that is coming up on property ownership, the Prime Minister is directing his lawyers not to do their jobs and not to defend British Columbia homeowners. Why is that?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Mark Carney

Liberal

Linked statement

“Our government will always protect private property rights, which is why we appealed the Cowichan court decision. We will also protect Indigenous rights.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 44 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “We have always defended private property rights; we always will, and we will always defend the rights of indigenous peoples to build a Canada that is stronger, fairer and more independent.”

    Said 3 times by 3 members since May 5.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the only illusion is that this makeover is going to work any better than other makeovers. The government will always defend private property rights. We immediately appealed the Cowichan decision. We have always defended private property rights; we always will, and we will always defend the rights of indigenous peoples to build a Canada that is stronger, fairer and more independent.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C+ View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 117

All 50 items ·
  1. Government Orders Business of Supply 117 statements
  2. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 8 statements
  3. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 4 statements
  4. Oral Questions The Economy 6 statements
  5. Oral Questions Taxation 8 statements
  6. Oral Questions Natural Resources 5 statements
  7. Oral Questions Taxation 2 statements
  8. Oral Questions Rail Transportation 4 statements
  9. Oral Questions Finance 10 statements
  10. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions Taxation 4 statements
  12. Oral Questions Finance 7 statements
  13. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 6 statements
  15. Oral Questions National Defence 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Public Safety 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  19. Oral Questions National Defence 8 statements
  20. Government Orders Business of Supply 57 statements
  21. Government Orders Government Orders 2 statements
  22. Government Orders Government Orders 2 statements
  23. Government Orders Government Orders 2 statements
  24. Government Orders Government Orders 3 statements
  25. Government Orders Government Orders 2 statements
  26. Government Orders Government Orders 3 statements
  27. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  28. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  29. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 5 statements
  30. Private Members' Business Spectrum Policy Framework for Canada Act 5 statements
  31. Private Members' Business Spectrum Policy Framework for Canada Act 7 statements