Dear Editor,
With concern, I read the full page advertorial of April 17, 2026, submitted by Marc Dalton, MP Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge: “Canadians should never have to wonder if their home is truly theirs.”
What Mr. Dalton omits in his statements is that the Canadian constitution already recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal title in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Underlying Section 35 is the recognition that Indigenous peoples were here first, living and caring for the land, and that the Royal Proclamation of 1763 declares that Crown territories can only be acquired through title treaty.
The Cowichan decision, which Mr. Dalton refers to, upholds the act by affirming Aboriginal title and reaffirms that Aboriginal title and fee simple interests can co-exist. In fact Aboriginal title and fee simple interests have been co-existing for a long time.
The court decision does not overturn the principles of ownership; it is not a ruling of displacement. It is a call to the Crown that, after unlawfully taking Indigenous lands over centuries, our governments must uphold their constitutional obligations to negotiate resolutions in good faith.
Like many things we are hearing right now, Mr. Dalton’s statements spread fear and confusion, creating an environment of panic, conflict, and distrust.
Many of us may not understand our history and our laws, and we respond to uncertainty with fear.
We do not need our representatives, even those in loyal opposition, to be fear-mongers. Instead we need our elected representatives in full partnership with Indigenous leaders to begin the hard work, the multi-generational work, of finding solutions that will benefit us all.
Patricia Dawson, Pitt Meadows