Tla’amin Nation voters will be casting ballots on Wednesday, September 25, on whether to accept $22.8 million in federal compensation over prepaid leases in the Klahanie subdivision.
The nation made a claim against the federal government over 40-year pre-sold leases of the Klahanie subdivision from 1972 to 2012. According to a summary of the settlement agreement, if Tla’amin voters give assent, the nation receives compensation in the amount of $22,729,211 in return for releasing Canada of its breaches of fiduciary obligation in the context of issuing 40-year prepaid leases of the Klahanie subdivision lands in 1972.
Tla’amin hegus Clint Williams said the Klahanie subdivision-specific claim is one of eight Tla’amin has and he is glad to be bringing this to a referendum for the people to decide if they are happy with the settlement offer.
“Back in the day, it was in the late ’60s heading into the ’70s when the leases were created,” said Williams. “The lands were undervalued and the leases helped the lessees more than they helped the Indian band.”
Williams said he is hoping Tla’amin citizens have a look at the information that has been made available to them and make an informed decision.
“It’s been an issue since the early ’70s and we’re working with the federal government to correct some past wrongs,” he added. “We are looking forward to seeing what our community has to say by way of the referendum vote.”
In terms of what to do with the settlement if accepted, Williams said Tla’amin has done a number of different types of work, such as comprehensive community planning, strategic planning, and looking at different things that will bring the community up to higher living standards.
“We’ve been doing numerous different types of reviews to look at what we can do to improve things for our community as a whole,” said Williams.
He said he is looking forward to the results of the referendum.
“We’ll see what happens on September 25,” said Williams.
Voting will be open between 8 am and 8 pm at the Tla’amin Salish Centre.
According to background information published on the Tla’amin website, in 1966, Tla’amin Nation, (then the Sliammon Indian Band), surrendered 33.3 acres of land, the Klahanie subdivision, for leasing to third parties. In 1972, Canada pre-sold 40-year leases of these lands in response to complaints by the lessees about increases in rental rates. According to the backgrounder, Canada did this despite this being contrary to internal departmental policy and contrary to Tla’amin’s best interests.
In 2006, Tla’amin submitted a specific claim alleging the pre-sold leases caused Tla’amin to lose out on leasing revenue. In 2011, Canada agreed to negotiate.
In 2016, Tla’amin and Canada reached agreement on the historic losses suffered by Tla’amin as a result of the pre-sold leases. Canada offered compensation of $14 million. Tla’amin asked Canada to reconsider its offer.
In January of 2019, Canada offered compensation in the amount of $22,830,516 and Tla’amin accepted the compensation in principle, pending a vote of its citizens and members.
Of the compensation, $101,305 will be repaid to Canada for a negotiation loan if the settlement agreement is accepted.
