New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has introduced a motion to protect New Brunswick property owners from a major indigenous land claim. In doing so, he is essentially saying that he does not trust the indigenous politicians bringing the claim, the Trudeau Liberal government, and the Supreme Court. Higgs is concerned that the indigenous leaders claiming the land are not being honest about their intentions, as their lawsuit alleges that the province had defective title to the land from the beginning. If their claim is successful, it could potentially affect every individual landowner in the province, leading to possible compensation demands or even eviction.
Higgs is not only distrustful of the indigenous leaders, but also of the Trudeau Liberals. He sees their acceptance of the UNDRIP and its potential consequences on resource development as a threat to provincial jurisdiction. There is a perception that Trudeau is willing to infringe on provincial rights to advance his indigenous agenda.
The most serious question raised by Higgs is whether or not he can trust the Supreme Court of Canada to protect the property rights of his constituents. Since the passage of Section 35 in 1982, the Supreme Court has expanded indigenous property rights, creating new rights based solely on birth. These newly created entitlements now impact all Canadian property owners and hinder resource development, without addressing the issues faced by the indigenous population.
Higgs highlights the large number of outstanding indigenous claims, including the New Brunswick claim and the Restoule case, which will eventually reach the Supreme Court. He raises concerns about the future of Canada, questioning whether the country will be divided into fiefdoms, with different rights for different racial groups. He also questions if some indigenous communities will become wealthy while others remain impoverished, and if the clear meaning of treaties will be disregarded in favor of a modern interpretation.
The power of the Supreme Court to determine these fundamental questions is alarming. Higgs and other premiers anxiously await the court’s decisions, including how it deals with potential infringements on provincial jurisdiction and threats to property rights. The Supreme Court’s handling of the upcoming Restoule case will provide further insight into the future of Canada. Higgs is not alone in seeking to protect his constituents in the face of these developments that could profoundly impact the country.
In conclusion, Higgs’ motion to protect property owners from the indigenous land claim reflects his lack of trust in the indigenous leaders, the Trudeau Liberals, and the Supreme Court. He is concerned about the potential consequences of UNDRIP, the infringement of provincial jurisdiction, and the expansion of indigenous property rights. The outcome of these issues will shape the future of Canada and its citizens, with Higgs and other premiers ready to defend their constituents’ interests.