Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Nov. 22nd, 2011

[Margaret Buist]

There are 63 first nations that taking part in the Claim Settlement Implementation Acts. Two benefits under that act are that you only need a ministerial order—you don't have to go all the way to Governor in Council—and you can have the pre-reserve designations, as Andrew has pointed out.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Is there a document on this that we could be given, such as a separate policy about that process?

[Margaret Buist]

There is no separate policy. We can certainly get you the statute—

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Is there an administrative document about it?

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

I'm sure that we as a committee will look into this issue further. It's of interest and obviously there are some issues that need to be resolved.

Mr. Clarke will be the final questioner, for five minutes.

[Rob Clarke, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks for coming back again. It's nice to see you.

I have a couple of things. From my standpoint in looking at northern Saskatchewan, what I see is that many northern communities in northern Saskatchewan are purchasing a lot of property in urban centres such as Saskatoon. I look at Patuanak, which purchased property right in the downtown core and on the outskirts of Saskatoon to build a mini gas bar. What I've seen as well is my home reserve also purchasing property right in the core of Saskatoon, which at one time was being considered for a casino; however, that didn't come to fruition.

What I see is that many of the communities specifically in northern Saskatchewan don't have the economic ability to promote businesses on reserve. Many of the first nations communities and some Métis are purchasing property in the cores of such cities as Vancouver, Saskatoon, and Regina, for instance, and creating a different spinoff for development.

Economics is one of the key elements to help first nations communities get the hand up, not the hand out. I'd like to get some more clarification in regard to urban reserves. How are they benefiting the municipalities? Also, for the first part, are they looking at how they are affecting the municipalities as partners?

[Jolene Head]

Certainly the urban reserve situation is extremely beneficial to first nations. When they are able to secure land in an urban centre, urban reserves offer first nation members economic opportunities that are generally unavailable in remote areas. Urban reserves can be a stepping stone for the development of new aboriginal businesses and a way into the mainstream job market for many first nation people.

With increased economic development comes increased self-sufficiency for first nations and their communities. Stronger first nations mean a stronger contribution to the Canadian economy.

The benefits of urban reserves also extend to the host municipalities. Urban reserves can contribute to the revitalization of a municipality by providing a much-needed economic stimulus to urban centres. In addition to the revenue derived from municipal service agreements, urban centres also benefit from job creation and new taxation revenue generated from off-reserve spinoffs of first nation businesses.

For the first time ever, I was able to visit Squamish First Nation and the Park Royal development there. I was quite amazed at what they had done in an urban centre. For example, they had Liberty Wine Merchants there, which was very exciting for me, and Lululemon. It's very much of benefit to have an urban reserve because the spinoffs are enormous for both community members: the first nation as well as the adjacent municipalities.

[Rob Clarke, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

What I've seen in some of the urban areas is some of the progressive thinking of some of the first nations communities in what they're trying to do. When they build an urban area, some are now looking at trying to subdivide, at subdivisions, and building homes that aboriginals and non-aboriginals can purchase and can rent out or lease to the non-aboriginals. That is pretty much promoting economic development.

I see this down in Regina, where some first nations individuals are purchasing homes. It is becoming more or less a mini-subdivision in which they are renting out property. Do you have any more examples of that?

[Margaret Buist]

Sure: both the Squamish and the Musqueam in Vancouver have quite extensive residential areas that are inhabited both by band members and by non-band members. It has quite a good success rate. If you're in Vancouver and drive along South West Marine Drive, there are big, big houses on the reserve in the Musqueam area and, as I say, inhabited by both band and non-band members.

[Andrew Beynon]

I will add that you're making a very good point about the recent history of urban additions to reserve. It's not something that you saw 10 or 15 years back.

I agree with you that many first nations now, in the context of dealing with the legal obligation for settlement of treaty land entitlements, are saying in some cases that they would like to have some of their traditional lands that may not be so much focused for economic development purposes, but also target some very valuable lands for economic development. So within the context of addressing Canada's legal obligations, it's possible to also address the agenda of improved economic development.

Just one thing I would say about this is that there are two ingredients that may be of interest to the community. I've heard not only an interest from first nations in targeting lands for economic development—say, urban lands—but also in paving the way very effectively for it. One way is to have high-quality planning in advance of setting aside the land as a reserve. The other is in this potential for pre-reserve designations, for example, so that you already have a signal about how the land is going to be used. The planning not only assists first nations, but also assists neighbouring municipalities in understanding how the land is going to be used in future.

Lastly, and it's a theme we've talked about, is that first nations land management legislation, for example, can be an effective tool, because those first nations that are interested will have a greater strength when dealing with subdivisions or complex commercial development under that regime than under the Indian Act.

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris Warkentin]

Thank you very much.

Our time has come to an end, but as you can tell, there are still questions. I'm sure we will hear from you again. Thank you so much for today.

Committee members, we are going to move to adjournment shortly. I want to make committee members aware that our next meeting, our Thursday meeting, coincides or at least overlaps with celebrations that are happening in the Senate chambers respecting the Libyan mission.

If you have opinions with respect to this, make your representatives at the subcommittee aware of them, because I think that we as a subcommittee will have a conversation about planning agenda items for a Thursday meeting. I put it out that all of your offices have I believe been contacted with regard to that matter.

Committee members, as far as today is concerned, the meeting is adjourned.