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“The ownership of lake beds is … intended to be collectively held for the benefit of all citizens of the province. As that is the case, consider doing what other jurisdictions have done and guarantee access to this precious public resource,” he said.

B.C. Federation of Mountain Clubs member Monika Bittel said the ruling hasn’t led to changes in the backcountry yet, but it has “inspired us to keep pushing for it.”

The chair of the federation’s recreation and conservation committee cited several examples of trails on Vancouver Island that are no longer accessible to the public after roads through privately-held forests were cut off.

Bittel has also worked to regain access to recently-gated roads in the Sea to Sky corridor, as well as a part of Garibaldi Provincial Park that abuts land held by Whistler Blackcomb.

“The Singing Pass Trail (in the park) existed long before Whistler came into being,” she said. But a “slump” on the road leading to the trail has never been repaired, making access difficult and lengthy. “You can get to it by using the chairlift, but that’s not always open and you have to pay a pretty steep cost.”

In 2017, Green party leader Andrew Weaver tabled a Right to Roam private member’s bill, which died when the provincial election was called.

On Friday, the B.C. Green caucus said it remains in consultation with stakeholders, but “has no plans to retable the legislation.”

In a blog post after the B.C. Supreme Court ruling, Weaver said the B.C. government needs to act.

“I’ve said it before and now the court has said it. It is time to start unlocking the gates.”

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