Indigenous communities across Canada are driving consequential economic activity. In British Columbia and beyond, Indigenous governments, and the communities they represent, are undertaking substantive and innovative work as developers, land stewards, and economic leaders.

At the same time, legal, regulatory, and governance frameworks are evolving. Court decisions such as Cowichan Tribes v. Canada are prompting discussion about land, rights, and development, raising questions for governments, Indigenous communities, and the real estate profession alike.

GVR believes the real estate profession has a role in this environment. This moment calls for leadership, curiosity, and care.

We recognize there are questions and concerns among members, alongside speculation and uncertainty, but there are also real opportunities to support progress that benefits multiple parties. Our responsibility is to help ground these conversations in facts, context, and constructive engagement.

In that vein, our focus is on building understanding, developing relationships, and supporting informed, responsible participation by our members.

We are currently leaning into this work in three ways.

We are exploring partnerships and initiatives with Indigenous leaders, advisors, and communities to better understand how real estate tools, systems, and professional expertise can support Indigenous economic objectives and improve engagement between Indigenous communities and the real estate profession.

These early efforts are helping establish connections with Indigenous leaders across British Columbia and nationally, which will guide our understanding and actions going forward.

We are assessing how property data, listing tools, and transaction platforms may be adapted or re-imagined for Indigenous lands, with careful attention to governance, culture, and Indigenous sovereignty. This is complex work, and we are proceeding deliberately. We will share updates with members as this work advances in the coming months.

Through a partnership with the Real Estate Institute of BC, we are also working to surface Indigenous perspectives on longer term land and economic development objectives and provide members with practical knowledge and insights to support more effective engagement. 

This research includes economic analysis and interviews with Indigenous leaders. We are finalizing these research materials and expect to release the results to members later this year. 

In parallel, we are strengthening our understanding of recent legal developments, including the Cowichan decision. GVR has engaged legal experts to help ensure we are informed by facts.

In the weeks ahead, legal experts with direct knowledge of the Cowichan case will participate in in-depth interviews with GVR. These discussions will focus on what the decision does and does not say, the status of the appeal, and the areas of legal certainty versus uncertainty. A podcast discussion with these experts will be released to members to support informed understanding.

We are also actively engaged on the government relations front. Through GVR’s strengthened and shared government relations function with BCREA, we are working closely with provincial government contacts. We are monitoring these developments closely and contributing to constructive dialogue where appropriate.

This work is not about quick answers or visibility. Our intent is to help position the real estate profession as a constructive partner that understands context, respects Indigenous leadership, avoids unnecessary speculation, and contributes to outcomes that serve communities, investors, and the public interest.

We look forward to sharing more as this work progresses. Some initiatives will advance quickly; others will take time. Our commitment to leadership, collaboration, and responsible engagement will remain constant.

Sincerely, 

Jeff King
Chief Executive Officer
Greater Vancouver REALTORS®