Reminder!
Ottawa Public Meeting on Wednesday Night
Quick update on Algonquin Land Claim:
- The first public information session is taking place on Wednesday 3pm to 8pm in Ottawa (at Tudor Hall – location here).
KAPOA encourages all members to attend one of public information session (see list below). These sessions are the forums for you to find out more information about the land claim and ask questions. - We believe the window for public consultation will be short and closing rapidly. No other forums for your input into the process have been announced. If you have questions or concerns, get engaged directly with negotiating teams NOW!
- We’ve heard that the square in the middle of Negeek Lake is a placeholder for 2 to 5 acre parcel of land yet to be identified from the Crown lands on the east side of the lake. Here is a more detailed map of Negeek showing the area. We are trying to get more detailed information / maps for the areas around Bark Lake, Negeek Lake and Spectacle Lake.
- Help us help…we believe the more people asking questions, the higher likelihood we will get answers. If you are attending a public information session, please review the list of questions below that we’ve compiled from KAPOA members. Please use this list as a starting point for your information gathering. Let us know what answers you get.
- Do you care about this issue? Let us know – either complete this quick 3 question survey (click here to complete the survey) or drop kapoacares@gmail.com an email with your thoughts. KAPOA wants to hear from our community on this issue.
- Last week, FOCA co-hosted a series of public meetings on the land claim. Press coverage is listed in Resource list below. As well, this team has launched a website: www.algonquinlandclaim.ca and developed a fact sheet.
Thanks.
Public Information Sessions
Public information sessions are being hosted by Aboriginal Affairs in the following locations. (See full details on Aboriginal Affairs web site):
- Ottawa: Wednesday, March 6, 3 – 8pm, at Tudor Hall
- Perth: Thursday, March 7, 3 – 8 pm, at Perth Lions’ Hall
- Kingston: Friday, March 8, 3 – 8 pm, TraveLodge Hotel LaSalle
- North Bay: Tuesday, March 12, 3 – 8 pm, at Best Western
- Mattawa: Wednesday, March 13, 3 – 8 pm, Mike Rodden Arena
- Pembroke: Thursday, March 14, 3 – 8 pm, at Best Western
- Bancroft: Friday, March 15, 3-8 pm, Faraday Community Centre
- Toronto: Saturday, March 16, 12 – 4 pm, Radisson Toronto East
Proposed Questions
Here is the initial list of questions, we’ve gathered from KAPOA members. Please ask these questions directly to officials if you are concerned.
- Why was this land selected by Algonquins? Does it have cultural or historical value?
- Have the Algonquins proposed any development plans for this property?
- After the land transfer, when will the Algonquins start paying taxes on the property? Same tax rate? Immediately? Or after development or sale?
Answer: Today we heard that property taxes will commence at the going farming/forestry tax mill rate for property assessed by MPAC, except for specified lands as described in clause 12.2.1 of the AIP. These specified lands are much larger and not within our area. - Have any development restrictions been discussed for this land?
- What are the municipal, provincial and federal exemptions that will apply to this land?
- What is the appraised value at current market prices of the 117,500 acres?
- Will all “regular” property taxes be payable on this property? If not, what tax revenue would normally be collected on the land?
- Is there any option to have Ski Island rezoned as a park or conservation area in exchange for other land elsewhere? (note: the Lake Clear Conservancy might be a good model but it looks like the islands in that “land trust” are also part of this Algonquin Agreement-in-Principle.
- Is there an option to limit development/improvements to Ski Island through municipal land use planning or zoning?
- The land in the Agreement-in-Principle surrounding Madawaska Mountain includes the Thomas P Murray Recreational Trails (www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/thomas-p-murray-recreational-trails). It says in the AIP that municipalities can discuss with the Algonquin keeping access to trails open. When will these discussions start and plans finalized – prior to Does Madawaska Valley intend to do enter into negotiations on behalf of local trail users and commercial operations such as Chippewa Cottage Resort who entertain guests that use those trails?
- I have read that forestry plans will remain in force until end of term (2021 in our area) (unless they change them). Since the crown land available for forestry will have been reduced by the Algonquin deal, how will that impact the remaining crown land? Will they harvest the same amount each year but take from more areas and harvest areas previously considered optional or contingency?
- Can the beneficiaries of the crown land cut down all the trees? It will be private land, can they do whatever they want with it? Right to the shore?
- Can they create new or expand on existing mining operations? Specifically Wigry and area aggregate pits.
- What is the timeline? Next steps? Once AIP is revised, when will next draft be made available to public? When will public have another opportunity to provide feedback?
- Regarding feedback and questions on AIP, what is the timeline?
Updated: Algonquin Land Claim Resources
Press Coverage of OFAH, CSIA and FOCA Co-Hosted Public Meetings
- CBC TV on FOCA co-hosted Ottawa public meeting (advance to 4:04)
- CFRA Radio Interview with FOCA and OFAH
- Pembroke Daily Observer on FOCA co-hosted Pembroke public meeting (March 1, 2013)
FOCA, OFAH and CSIA Material and Press
Press Coverage on Agreement and Court Challenges
Newsletter March 2013