VICTORIA – The B.C. government has accepted a Letter of Intent from the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations to acquire stewardship of the provincial portion of the Jericho lands.

The Letter of Intent enables First Nations to begin consultations with their communities to seek their support to develop a sales agreement. If a sales agreement is concluded, it will allow for a meaningful community consultation process between the First Nations and the City of Vancouver on what the community would like to see with respect to future development of the lands.

Any future planning for the provincial and adjacent parcel would be planned collectively to allow for a cohesive plan for the entire area. Any and all rezoning and development plans will follow the mandated consultation process established by the City of Vancouver.

Any final sales agreement with the First Nations would be based on fair market value for the land as determined by independent appraisals. Releasing these lands for potential development could help improve housing supply in Vancouver by increasing available land for development.

The Jericho lands consist of two parcels totalling 38.8 acres, which are owned by the Province, and another 52 acres, which were recently transferred from the federal government to the Musqueam, the Squamish and the Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, and the Canada Lands Corporation.

Quotes:

Minister of Technology, Innovation, Citizens’ Services, Amrik Virk –

“The potential sale and transfer of the lands to the First Nations is a further step towards reconciling the First Nations’ interests in respect of rights and title to the traditional territories and confirms the settlement of all of the Nations’ claims to the Jericho lands. Obtaining stewardship of the lands represents a significant economic development opportunity for First Nations and the potential sale of these lands will create construction and ongoing jobs due to redevelopment.”

MLA Vancouver – Quilchena, Andrew Wilkinson –

“I am confident that should a final sales agreement be signed, the First Nations will undertake a fulsome and meaningful consultation, and the community will be able to provide their input on the development of the entire parcel of land. The development of the Jericho lands could help improve much needed housing supply in Vancouver by increasing the amount of land available for future use.”