 
March 24, 2011
In Brief:
Media Release - Evaluating Canada’s Place in International Property Rights ProtectionFrontier Centre contributes landmark indigenous property rights case study
Lethbridge, Alberta: The Frontier Centre for Public Policy is proud to take part in the release of the worldwide International Property Rights Index (IPRI). The IPRI is an international comparative study that measures the significance of both physical and intellectual property rights and their protection for economic well-being. The Index focuses on three areas: Legal and Political Environment (LP), Physical Property Rights (PPR), and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The current study analyzes data for 125 countries around the globe, representing ninety-seven percent of world GDP.
For the 2011 IPRI report, the Canadian think tank in this international consortium of policy research organizations, the Frontier Centre for Public Policy has contributed a case study that examines recent legislation by the Nisga’a Nation, a Native community in northwest British Columbia, to grant fee simple property rights to its members on a voluntary basis. In an unprecedented move for an indigenous community in Canada, this means members may sell or lease their own land to anyone or use the land as business collateral.
“By allowing Nisga’a citizens to sell, lease or transfer small parcels of land to anyone, whether Aboriginal or not, the Nisga’a have embarked on a path unique among indigenous communities in Canada,” said case study author Joseph Quesnel.
“This shows the Nisga’a are serious about advancing their community economically and want to fight widespread poverty.”
Joseph Quesnel, policy analyst and lead researcher within the Frontier’s Aboriginal Frontiers Project, will discuss the implications of this move in Lethbridge, Alberta, alongside the official Canadian release of the IPRI’s 2011 Index report.
The release will take place at the University of Lethbridge on March 23rd. Special media access begins at 12 pm and the event will begin at 12:30 pm.
For more information please contact:
Joseph Quesnel
Policy analyst
403-381-0342 (office)
403-360-3078 (cell)
Marco Navarro-Genie
Director of research
403.995.9916
A copy of the IPRI can be downloaded at : http://www.internationalpropertyrightsindex.org/
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