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Tsawwassen First Nation: Opening for Business

Presentation to Delta Chamber of Commerce

November 21, 2007

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Outline TFN at a Glance Notable events in TFN’s History TFN Treaty: Basics TFN Treaty: Governance Context Current Planning Activities

• Strategic Plan

• Community & Land Use Plan

• Infrastructure Plan Development opportunities for TFN TFN Needs Partners! TFN People Moving Forward

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Population: 675 people on TFN lands

Membership: 360 members Size: 662 hectares (post-treaty) Major land components: TFN

communal land; CP land; Stahaken subdivision; Tsatsu Shores condominium complex; Beach lots

Location: Most of TFN land between Hwy. 17 (Tsawwassen ferry highway) and Deltaport way (to Roberts Bank terminal)

TFN at a Glance

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Notable events in TFN’s history

Southwest Coast of B.C. occupied for 9,000 years. • Evidence of activity at Tsawwassen for 4000 years • Traditional lifestyle based on hunting, fishing, farming, • Trade and barter system in place in intricately woven society

along SW Coast 1871: Tsawwassen reserve established

• Creating ‘postage stamp reserve’ in traditional territory 1914: Chief Harry Joe petitions for larger reserve;

request denied 1958: Massey Tunnel, Hwy 17, and BC Ferries

terminal built• No consultation; Causeway and highway cut TFN reserve in half

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Notable events in TFN’s history

1968: Roberts Bank Superport built • No consultation; ferry and port causeways destroy nourishing tidal

flat. 1990: B.C. agrees to enter treaty negotiations with First

Nations 1993: TFN enters into B.C. Treaty Process 2003: TFN enters agreement-in-principle with BC and Canada 2004: TFN enters agreement with VPA

• Mitigation for past wrongs, and accomodation for further development.

2007: TFN agrees to treaty with British Columbia and Canada• Addresses and reconciles past grievances• New life for Tsawwassen people

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TFN Treaty: Basics TFN’s treaty will the first in the history of the B.C. Treaty

Process• TFN spent 15 years in this process.

Ratified by TFN community July 25th; by B.C. Legislature November 7th

• Awaiting ratification by federal government, and signing.

• Effective Day will make treaty a reality; following a planning and transition process by TFN.

One of key treaty goals was economic sustainability• To ensure health and prosperity of the community

• Ability to engage productively with the regional economy Treaty provides land, resources, and authorities to achieve

these goals.

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TFN Treaty: A unique governance context

As of Effective Date, TFN will be under a new form of governance:• Not a municipality or a provincial creation; has Constitutional status

under section 35 of Charter.• No longer wards of the Crown; will be self-governing.• No longer on a reserve; will own land fee simple.

Has ability to draw down many traditionally federal, provincial and municipal powers:• Ex: Child Protection, Education, Social Assistance• Municipal structure (land and tax authorities) are a priority at

effective date – must be in place to provide services to members Transition to treaty will be gradual:

• Phase-in of powers, taxation, federal funding clawbacks Treaty allows TFN to be a full partner at several levels of

government.

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Current Planning Activities Tsawwassen Self-Government Implementation

Plan• Suite of projects to establish strategic, legal, policy and

regulatory framework. • Allow TFN to exercise rights and responsibilities of self-

governing First Nation. • Strategic Plan, Community and Land Use Plan, and

Economic Development planning are critical components.

Strategic Planning• Determine vision, mission, principles and priorities for

Tsawwassen Government.• Will be complete by December 2007.

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Current Planning Activities Community and Land Use Planning

• Three components: Community plan, Development Plan, and Infrastructure Plan.• UMA Consultants: will be complete by March

2008.• Community Plan will be adopted as an OCP

under Local Government Act, and deemed compatible with the Liveable Regions Strategy.

Economic Development Planning• Will determine appropriate structure and processes

for TFN’s participation in economic opportunities.• Will assist TFN members in actively engaging in

regional economy. • Will ensure that TFN is development ready.

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TFN Treaty Opportunities Location

• Ocean frontage, beautiful views• First stop for Vancouver Island travellers

• Highway 17 runs through TFN land

• First stop for industrial traffic• TFN lands surround port causeway• Port expansion will bring business interests

Fishing allocation• TFN will have a commercial fishing operation through treaty Harvest

agreement, which provides a guaranteed fishing allocation • Will be looking for commercial buyers, processors, and other partners to maximize

revenue from allocation Self-government

• Make planning and development decisions based on the best interests of the TFN community, with no interference from federal government

Membership with Metro Vancouver• Will be able to contribute to and benefit from strong regional government

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TFN Development Opportunities Focus of development is on social, economic, and

environmental sustainability.• Agriculture and port related opportunities

• Obvious areas of interest.

• Entrepreneurial and small business activity• Also an important focus for TFN.

Increased land base and ALR exclusion.• 226 hectares in TFN lands addition removed from ALR.

Deltaport expansion: Berth 3 and potential Terminal 2 project.

On reserve development: new TFN lands and CP lands• Removal of previous development constraints

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TFN Needs Partners! Future is bright for both TFN and Delta

• TFN will integrate and become increasingly engaged in regional economy

• As TFN grows, its members will become active consumers and entrepreneurs

• TFN needs access to: • Skills and experience• Capital resources • Better transportation

linkages

• TFN offers access to: • A growing market for Delta business community• New business and entrepreneurial opportunities in

partnership with TFN members Future is bright for both TFN and Delta • TFN will integrate and become increasingly engaged in

regional economy• As TFN grows, its members will become active

consumers and entrepreneurs• TFN needs access to:

• Skills and experience• Capital resources • Better transportation

linkages

• TFN offers access to: • A growing market for Delta business community• New business and entrepreneurial opportunities in

partnership with TFN members

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TFN People

TFN People are: • Bright and determined

• Open-minded

• Excited about the future

• Funny, easy-going, and polite

• Child and youth-centred TFN People want:

• To integrate with local community

• To be serviced by stores and businesses

• To take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities

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Moving Forward TFN faces an enormous opportunity and an

equally significant challenge. • The next months and years will put TFN on a footing that

ensures success.

• To do this, TFN needs to build strong partnerships with local communities.

Keep TFN in mind for future business expansions

Look for business opportunities with us as we proceed with planning

Let’s make the treaty benefit all Delta residents