1904 (Chapter 54 S.B.C. 1904) The Vancouver Island Settlers’ Rights Act passed the Provincial Legislature and gave the settlers, who could show bona fide occupation and improvement of lands within the E & N belt, prior to enactment of the Settlement Act (1884) and who applied to the Lt. Gov. in Council in the following year, the right to obtain Crown grants in fee simple. The E & N Railway Co. appealed to the courts and the Dominion Government but the 1904 Act was allowed to stand. The company subsequently approached the province to obtain lands in lieu of those alienation under the 1904 Settlers’ Rights Act.
More info on page 8: https://ltsa.ca/docs/Crown-Land-Grants-A-History-of-the-E-and-N.pdf