Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) voiced concerns this week about property sales within the Haldimand Tract and third party land transfers involving private developers.
Currently, land claims litigation is underway between the governments of Ontario and Canada and Six Nations of the Grand River, with the case likely going to trial in early 2024. Council discussed potential government property sales and third party property sales during the Feb. 27 Political Liaison meeting where SNEC's Consultation and Accommodation Process (CAP) Team presented its monthly activity report.
Coun. Helen Miller said that a property sale in Paris, Ontario was brought to her attention and she questioned if the sale was for a provincial government property and whether the province would be able to sell the property amid the ongoing lawsuit.
"I got a message from somebody about this huge piece of land in Paris the provincial government has sold to a developer," she said.
"My question when I read that was 'with us fighting for the Haldimand Tract in court, how can the provincial government sell land to a developer?' I could see an individual being able to sell land, but the government itself selling land to someone when they know full well that the Haldimand Tract is in the court system right now?" she asked.
Lonny Bomberry, CAP team member, spoke on the potential land sale. He said that with Six Nations being a part of the Grand River Notification Agreement, Six Nations would need to be notified of any potential land sales of government property, but Six Nations cannot stop individuals and third party land transfers within the Haldimand Tract.
"We're aware of all the lands that they (provincial government) own within the Haldimand Tract. We're not aware they that own any lands around Paris and that they sold any," he said.
"It's probably more likely a private developer who has bought some land, they're buying significant pieces of land both within Paris and Brantford, which is a concern, because technically we cannot do anything to stop them from doing that," he continued. "So we don't have authority to stop actual third party people from transferring land back and forth among themselves."
Bomberry spoke on Bill C-23, or the More Homes Built Faster Act, and said it affects Conservation Authorities' mandates when it comes to trying to protect the environment.
"Bill 23 does affect how Conservation Authorities operate. It takes away their authority to stop things that are sensitive to the environment."
"The minister can override their objections in certain circumstances. We've talked to the Conservation Authority and they're concerned about that because that just means they have less authority to protect the environment" he continued.
SNEC and it's CAP team have said they will continue to monitor property sales within the Haldimand Tract and accepted the CAP teams monthly report as information.
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