Quilakwa Stop & Shop Designation Vote

• February 10, 2016
• • Member News

Why do we need to designate the Quilakwa Stop & Shop Lands?

The designation will legitimize the existing uses, including a gas station, restaurant, convenience store and offices and will provide legal protection to Splatsin by way of binding contracts (leases) while allowing those leasing the lands to attain a mortgage from a banking institution for development. The end result should be increased economic development and job opportunities for Splatsin members.

Without the land being designated there remains a risk to Splatsin including but not limited to the following:

• Environmental contamination
• Non-payment of rent
• Liability for damage to people and property
• No legal recourse to manage and control the existing Buckshee Agreements
• AANDC unable to assist with resolving any issues.

What are the terms of the designation for the Quilakwa Stop & Shop Lands?

Designation under the Indian Act allows Reserve lands to be leased by non-Band members (usually to a company), including a company owned by Splatsin. The lands do not lose reserve status while allowing Splatsin to enter into legal leases or sub-leases with tenants.

This Designation will be for a term of 99 years, starting on the date the Minister accepts the designation. The rent will be at fair market value or for a “nominal rent” if the head lease is to a Splatsin owned business. The fair market value of the land has an appraised value of $567,000.00 on November 28, 2014 (per Kent Macpherson – appraisal firm in Kelowna B.C.).

How can I learn more?

Information Sessions
Information sessions will be held where the Splatsin designation team (Shawn Wiebe, Housing, Infrastructure & Lands Director, Mike Fotheringham Economic Development Officer Splatsin Development Corporation and our consultant Debra Campbell of Debra Campbell and Associates) and Petula Maxwell (lands officer), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will provide information on the contents of the proposed commercial designation of 5655 Highway 97A, Enderby IR No. 2 or, the land where the Quilakwa Stop & Shop, Esso and Tim Hortons are located.

The details for the information sessions are as follows:

Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Splatsin Community Center
5775 Old Vernon Rd RR 3, Enderby, BC V0E 1V3
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Splatsin Community Center
5775 Old Vernon Rd RR 3, Enderby, BC V0E 1V3
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Video broadcast from the evening will be available on the Splastin Youtube Channel

Information Package
As an eligible Splatsin Voter, an information package has been provided to you by mail, including each of the following documents:

• Notice of Referendum
• Instructions to Voters
• Mail-in Ballot, initialed on the back by the electoral officer;
• “Voter Declaration” form;
• Postage-paid return envelope, Marked “Return Envelope” and addressed to the “Electoral Officer”;
• An envelope marked “FOR BALLOT(S) ONLY” in which the completed Ballot must be inserted;
• A copy of the Information Document, with Schedule “A”. Download PDF Map Schedule A – Designation Area

For more information please contact:

Shawn Wiebe (Housing, Infrastructure & Lands Director) [email protected] or Cindy Couch (Executive Assistant) [email protected]; telephone 250-838-6496.