LETTER: Sooke property rights could be at risk

The recent B.C. court decision granting aboriginal title to private property in some parts of Richmond should concern all homeowners and property owners in B.C., but especially those of us who own homes or property in Sooke. Why should this be the case? Because embedded in the new 232-page official community plan (OCP) – which council intends to pass before the end of this year – is the following goal: “Commit to addressing the urgent need to respect and promote the inherent right of Indigenous peoples, including their rights to the land, territories, and resources,” (p. 145). In fact, in the land acknowledgment at the beginning of the document, this OCP lays the groundwork for this goal by claiming that “[these are] Indigenous … land rights in the territory that includes and encompasses Sooke.” Further, deep within this lengthy, vague, and confusing document is Action 4.11.1.2 (p. 146), which requires Sooke to “ … commit to developing an action plan to implement UNDRIP locally.” The term “UNDRIP” stands for United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This is a non-binding international declaration that the NDP government of B.C. has incorporated into DRIPA (Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act). Under this law, the NDP has completely failed to defend private property rights in B.C. The consequences are real: at least one Richmond homeowner has been informed that his mortgage will not be renewed because of title concerns. There are many other grave issues with this proposed OCP, ranging from very high levels of densification in Sooke (much more traffic) to numerous expensive net-zero initiatives that have not been costed and will result in much higher property taxes (to name but two of several other serious concerns). I urge all homeowners and property owners in Sooke to find out about the proposed OCP, read the whole thing (if you can), and contact the mayor and councillors to let them know that you oppose this OCP. Our future and the future of Sooke is at stake. Veronica Pemberton-Billing Sooke