PROPERTY RIGHTS
Most people don't spend much time thinking about who legally owns their home. They bought it, they have a deed, they pay a mortgage. That used to be enough. Recent decisions by the Liberal government have introduced a level of uncertainty that every North Shore homeowner deserves to understand and that Stephen is committed to fixing.
Why Are People Worried?
DIRECTIVE 14
In 2018, the Liberal government directed federal lawyers to stop making the strongest legal arguments in defence of fee simple private property.The BC Supreme Court ruled that Aboriginal title senior to your registered deed.
MUSQUEAM AGREEMENT
In February 2026, the Liberal government signed a Rights Recognition Agreement covering 100% of North Vancouver–Capilano with the Musqueam, recognizing a pathway to Aboriginal title over their traditional territories,
K’ÓMOKS TREATY
The first modern treaty under this Liberal government lacks explicit private property protections, embeds UNDRIP as an interpretive source, and is structured to be reopened every ten years.
As MP, Stephen will push for:
Putting Private Property First in the Cowichan Appeal – Reverse Directive 14 so federal lawyers can fully defend homeowners in court and restore the argument that your registered deed takes priority over competing claims.
Explicit Property Protections in Every Future Agreement – Every future agreement with First Nations must explicitly protect existing fee simple property ownership. The assurances that are currently only in press releases need to be in the documents.
A Property Rights Action Plan – The Liberal government must release a clear plan, with specific commitments and timelines, outlining how it will restore certainty for homeowners and businesses following the Cowichan decision and the Musqueam agreement.