Independent BC MLA pushes bill to defund indigenous groups over private property title claims

VANCOUVER — Independent MLA Tara Armstrong introduced a provocative private member's bill in the British Columbia Legislative Assembly Thursday that would defund indigenous groups pursuing Aboriginal title claims over private property..Armstrong, representing Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream, moved first reading of the Defunding Aboriginal Title Claims Affecting Private Property Act.In her remarks, Armstrong argued that such claims create "chaos and uncertainty" and pose a "serious threat to the stability of our economy.""The bill will help the government push back against the groups bringing these reckless claims," she said.The proposed legislation would suspend all non-essential provincial funding to any indigenous group that has initiated an Aboriginal title claim affecting private property in B.C. Armstrong cited the recent Cowichan Tribes court declaration of Aboriginal title over lands including private properties in Richmond, and the ongoing claim by the Kamloops Indian Band potentially impacting the homes of the city's approximately 100,000 residents.The bill would also prohibit the use of provincial funding by any person or non-governmental organization to support such claims.Armstrong emphasized that the measure targets only claims involving fee simple lands owned by private businesses and citizens."If the province's 200-plus indigenous groups wish to continue receiving funding from BC's generous taxpayers, the solution is simple: Leave the private properties of British Columbians alone," she said.As is customary for first reading of private member's bills, the motion faced routine consideration, but Armstrong called for a division — a recorded vote — forcing members to publicly declare their positions on whether to advance the bill.The call for division drew visible frustration from some members, consistent with Armstrong's pattern of using procedural tactics on controversial bills to expose voting records and highlight divisions in the House. In a previous instance, a member shouted "selfish!" during similar proceedings.Just days earlier, Conservative MLA Brennan Day stood in the house to condemn the tactic, calling it a "political sideshow.".The bill was ultimately defeated 38 to 49 on first reading stage after Armstrong's division call.

Independent BC MLA pushes bill to defund indigenous groups over private property title claims

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