In this research, I review various rights claims and the concepts behind recognition of those rights. Current Canadian policies enforce a duty to provide positive rights, in the form of a social safety net, to citizens. Revenues from resource development are a key foundation of these services. Without that funding, many of the social services Canadians claims as a right would be severely restricted. However, to ensure responsible resource development, government must also protect the rights of land owners and tenure holders.

Arguments for and against long-term tenure rights were considered and secure, long-term tenures to public lands were shown to be a valid morally and legally. Arguments suggesting that secure tenures will result in wholesale privatization were shown to lack validity. The potential for a long-term focus was shown to be as well developed in the private sphere as in government. Where private tenures were rejected or impossible to implement, it was shown that Alberta's Forest Management Agreement is an effective method of providing secure long-term tenure.

The primary and secondary case studies showed that with basic responsibilities required of tenure holders, the security of tenure rights have a direct relation to the likelihood of seeing land managed with a long-term, conservation-based focus. As tenure security increased, the commitment to innovative management and the focus on environmental, social, and economic sustainability grew. Where tenure rights were not respected or defended environmental wellbeing, social stability, and economic viability suffered.