In a recent landmark ruling, the BC Supreme Court granted Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title to 780 acres in the City of Richmond including fee simple lands. The decision sets important legal, political and practical implications for local governments across BC.
Join us during the UBCM Convention to learn more from legal experts about this precedent-setting decision.
On the panel is David Rosenberg, K.C., who served as senior legal counsel to the Cowichan Nation within this case; Robin Junger, a former chief provincial treaty negotiator and lawyer with 30 years of experience working on environmental, resource and Indigenous law issues; and Reece Harding, a lawyer focused on local government litigation.
This session is designed for local elected officials seeking to understand how this landmark decision could affect municipal decision-making, land use authority and relationships with First Nations.
- Thursday, September 25 at 2:30-4:30 pm
David Rosenberg, K.C., Rosenberg Law
David Rosenberg served as senior legal counsel representing the Cowichan Nation in Cowichan Tribes v Canada (Attorney General), 2025 BCSC 1490. He has been senior, lead counsel on several major appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada in constitutional, civil, criminal and First Nation’s cases. David was lead counsel for the Tsilhqot’in Nation at trial and on the successful appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Robin Junger, Counsel, McMillan LLP and former chief provincial treaty negotiator
Robin Junger is a lawyer with over 30 years of experience working on environmental and Indigenous law issues, both in private practice and in senior roles within government – including as a Chief Provincial Treaty Negotiator and as Deputy Minister of Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources.
Reece Harding, Partner, Young, Anderson
Reece Harding’s practice is focused on local government law litigation, and includes judicial review, administrative law, aboriginal law, assessment and taxation law, natural hazard risk avoidance, governance and conflict resolution.