A commentary by a senior ­fellow at the Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy and professor in liberal studies and political ­studies at Vancouver Island ­University.

David Eby’s government in British Columbia is reeling after two recent court decisions put private property rights in jeopardy.

In August, the B.C. Supreme Court’s Cowichan Tribes decision declared that titles to certain properties in the city of Richmond are “defective and invalid.”

Adding to Eby’s headache is the Court of Appeal’s ruling in Gitxaala v. British Columbia (Chief Gold Commissioner), which held that every law and regulation in B.C. must align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Among other things, UNDRIP refers to “the urgent need to respect and promote the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples” and “especially their rights to their lands.”

Essentially, a United Nations document has suddenly become a second constitution.

Feigning shock, Eby declared that he will “go to the wall” to protect the rights of affected Richmond property owners. The province is talking about offering loan guarantees to homeowners if banks won’t refinance mortgages or buyers can’t secure financing.

But these are Band-Aid solutions that........

© Times Colonist