sa国际传媒, the provinces and First Nations are having enough trouble solving treaty and land-claim issues without the latest curveball: satellite reserves.
The federal government is proposing a policy change that would allow First Nations to buy blocks of land separate from their reserves and convert them to reserve status. While First Nations would benefit from economic development, the jurisdictional nightmare the plan would create far outweighs any potential advantages.
Since 1972, bands have been able to add land to existing reserves, as long as the land adjoined those reserves. The proposed change would remove that limitation.
First Nations, using money from developers, could buy up chunks of land, convert them to reserve status and build condos, houses or industrial developments. The band gets some revenue, but the surrounding municipality loses tax revenue and its bylaws no longer apply.
It differs from lands transferred to First Nations under Incremental Treaty Agreements, such as the one that moved the Esquimalt liquor-store site to the Songhees First Nation. That land is held in a First Nations-designated company and, as with any privately held land, is subject to municipal bylaws and federal and provincial laws.
Satellite reserves, in contrast, could make mincemeat out of regional growth plans that have been created over decades to determine where the community wants to grow and how. The question of services could be even bigger.
One Lower Mainland mayor said: 鈥淲hen these things occur, First Nations expect municipalities to provide services. They will take water, sewer and fire protection, but won鈥檛 pay for libraries and recreation. Those are bones of contention now and this is only going to exacerbate it.鈥�
It鈥檚 a recipe for conflict, confusion and added costs.
Instead of tossing another monkey wrench in the works, the federal government should get back to the treaty table and complete some more deals, so First Nations can consolidate their present and plan for their future.
