Tsuu T’ina membership okays sale of land for ring road

Land guarantees and promises for the future prompted Tsuu T’ina residents to give the Calgary ring road the go-ahead.
On Oct. 24, 644 Nation members voted in favour of swapping their land for provincial Crown land along with a monetary settlement from the province.

“If this had been just about the road it never would have been approved,” said Tsuu T’ina Chief Roy Whitney, speaking the day after 993 ballots were cast. “(Members) voted for a better, more secure future for their children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

That brighter future came along with a guarantee for land that wasn’t present in the 2009 agreement that Tsuu T’ina members overwhelmingly rejected.

“I must point out that the language of the 2013 final agreement provided all Tsuu T’ina with the certainty we did not have in 2009, that all of our compensation and that the deal for the roadway is guaranteed,” said Whitney.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver, who said he understood why “certain elements” of the 2009 agreement were not amenable. The key concern came in the wording that gave the province land while declaring “best efforts” would be made to provide the First Nation with land.

This new agreement proposes that Tsuu T’ina transfer 1,058 acres of land to Alberta for the creation of a transportation and utility corridor, which will complete the southeast portion of the Calgary ring road. In return, Alberta will provide 338.1 acres of new reserve land. Payment of $275 million is to be made to Tsuu T’ina’s capital account in Ottawa. The agreement also calls for an additional payment of close to $45 million to be made for the replacement of First Nation housing, buildings and infrastructure on the land that is sold to the province.

“Whether our members voted no or yes, it was not simple, nor was it easy. Much will be lost as a result of this deal. My heart, my compassion goes out to our members who will have to relocate and accommodate this project. I ensure you and everyone that we will walk with you in the transition to a new place and anew life for your families,” said Whitney.

Another $21 million will come from the province to be used for improvements to Tsuu T’ina’s existing roads.

The value of the land to be obtained by the province and the land to be given to the First Nation is at an approximate value of five to one. McIver pointed out that the First Nation land acquired for the ring road is at a higher value because of its proximity to population.

“This is not about giving away (land), it’s about negotiating with people that have an asset that they are legally entitled to that we needed to have in order to keep building our city. At the end of the day that becomes a commercial transaction,” said Premier Alison Redford, who accompanied McIver in a press conference in Calgary on Oct. 25 to announce the deal.

Redford added that the money to purchase the land will be incorporated in the province’s capital plan.

“We are the economic engine of this country. This city alone … is an economic driver not only in Canada but around the world and we need to keep building our communities,” she said.

Alberta is committed to completing the ring road within seven years of the transfer of Tsuu T’ina’s lands to the province. McIver is hopeful that transfer will occur within a year’s time. Federal government approval regarding the land transaction is required.
McIver said details as to how the project will proceed – whether through a single contract or broken into smaller contracts, and how financing will be undertaken – have yet to be determined.
Whitney said Tsuu T’ina membership will be discussing how best to use and invest the dollars from the province.