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Supreme Court Rejects Aboriginal Title Claim, Opens Cowichan Appeal

5/29/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Supreme Court of Canada refused the Wolastoqey Nation appeal, keeping the New Brunswick ruling that Aboriginal title does not reach private land.
BC Attorney General Niki Sharma said the decision clears a path for the province’s appeal of the Cowichan Tribes case.
Federal Minister Rebecca Alty’s office and landowner Montrose Properties both said the ruling backs private-property arguments and supports reopening the Cowichan trial.

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Story summary

The Supreme Court of Canada refused the Wolastoqey Nation appeal, keeping the New Brunswick ruling that Aboriginal title does not reach private land.
BC Attorney General Niki Sharma said the decision clears a path for the province’s appeal of the Cowichan Tribes case.
Federal Minister Rebecca Alty’s office and landowner Montrose Properties both said the ruling backs private-property arguments and supports reopening the Cowichan trial.