Thu Dec 10, 12:23 PM
By The Canadian Press
OTTAWA - A B.C. aboriginal band says proposed legislation that would allow it to launch large-scale, commercial development of its Vancouver-area properties falls short of expectations.
The Squamish Nation says the bill before Parliament doesn't allow it to compete on a level playing field in Vancouver's growing real-estate market.
If passed, the legislation would amend the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act to allow for established, provincial regulatory regimes on Squamish Nation lands.
But, as Vancouver's Winter Olympics approach, disgruntled aboriginal officials say the bill still would not provide the band with a revenue stream to support those regimes.
Squamish Chief Gibby Jacob calls the measure an important first step, but he says it doesn't go far enough.
He's calling for a new tax to help establish the needed infrastructure.
There are three Squamish reserves - Capilano, Mission and Seymour Creek - on the north shore of the Burrard Inlet across from downtown Vancouver, as well as reserves at Kitsilano (Senakw) and the Sunshine Coast (Chekwelp).
"We need a truly level playing field so we are going to keep pressuring the government to enable the Squamish people to levy a Property Transfer Tax that everyone off-reserve has to pay," Jacob said in a statement Thursday.
"This revenue stream will provide us the ability to pay for the creation and maintenance of the required infrastructure without the need of government dollars."
Areas of North Vancouver and West Vancouver adjacent to Indian lands are home to dozens of highrise residential towers with some of the highest housing prices in Canada.
Under existing regulations, the Squamish Nation is prevented from fully developing that land.
As cities grow, an increasing number of aboriginals living on urban reserves are finding their land values are increasing.
The proposed legislation was introduced at the request of five First Nations, including the Squamish.