Haldimand County has a stable credit rating but might be teetering toward a downward swing in the local economy due to First Nations land claim disputes.
On the day the county's credit rating was announced, councillors Buck Sloat and Leroy Bartlett tabled notices of motion related to county economics..
On June 13, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services affirmed the county's A stable credit rating and stated that the municipality's outlook was stable. The company based their forecast on the expectation that " the land dispute will not further significantly weaken the economy".
The company stated that "the county's economic prospects are marred by the ongoing native land claims dispute which has warded off potential economic development". Even though the county is in an advantageous location, the dispute will impede its economy, the firm stated.
A potential solution was identified in their report.
"Resolution of the dispute and consequent improvement in the economy or a commitment by the federal or provincial government to compensate the county (because of the dispute) could result in an upward revision to the ratings or outlook," stated the rating company.
Sloat was also thinking about the county's economy when he drew up a motion that will be dealt with at the Aug. 11 council meeting. A long time opponent to loss of county land through additions to the Six Nations reserve, he suggested the county refuse to support "further erosion of our land, boundaries or tax base".
His motion also suggested the county refuse to relinquish planning and regulatory controls on county land if it is purchased, transferred or negotiated away as treaty land, conversion to reserve or held in trust for that purpose.
At the Sept. 2 council committee meeting, Bartlett' s motion will be discussed. He is calling for Haldimand County to terminate its voluntary participation in the Grand River Notification Protocol because there's no development underway in the municipality. With only lots coming up for construction, there's no reason to require staff to gather materials to submit to local First Nations, he noted.
Development is halted through illegal land occupation and through lack of intervention from upper level of governments, said Bartlett.
At Sept. 2 meeting, planning development manager Elaine Brunn Shaw will update council members on negotiations to renew the protocol. As a result, council can have a full and frank discussion on the protocol, said Bartlett.
Established in 1996, the protocol is a voluntary process in which the county, Brantford and Brant County provide Six Nations and New Credit band councils with information on proposed developments. Notification does not grant the reviewing party a veto. Recently band council responses to notification have referred to outstanding claims and rights, and the duty to consult and accommodate interests of Six Nations people.
Under the agreement, the same notification of development projects is anticipated from Six Nations and New Credit to the three municipalities.