Close X
Saturday, November 2, 2024
ADVT 
National

$7M settlement with B.C. First Nation: Feds

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Apr, 2024 05:19 PM
  • $7M settlement with B.C. First Nation: Feds

The federal government and a British Columbia First Nation have reached a $7-million settlement over a lumber grievance that dates back to 1942. 

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Chief Joe Pierre Jr. announced the settlement Thursday, where Canada will pay the cash to compensate the First Nation for its economic losses from the timber surrender. 

The Crown-Indigenous Relations Ministry says in a statement the socio-economic gaps between First Nations and non-Indigenous communities exist because of "decades of colonial policies" that "led to the denial and dispossession of land and resources."

Anandasangaree says the latest settlement is a step made by the federal government to "be a good partner" in the development of Indigenous communities.

The grievance stemmed from the surrender and sale of timber on Aq'am's Kootenay Reserve No. 1 in 1942, where Canada is described as having failed to "properly manage the sale of the timber," selling it at a low rate that resulted in economic losses for the community.

Aq'am, formerly known as the St. Mary's Indian Band, is located five kilometres north of Cranbrook, B.C., and is one of the member communities of the Ktunaxa Nation.

MORE National ARTICLES

Increase in U.S. softwood lumber duties 'entirely unwarranted,' trade minister says

Increase in U.S. softwood lumber duties 'entirely unwarranted,' trade minister says
The federal government is lashing out at the U.S. Commerce Department over plans to raise duties on Canadian softwood lumber. International Trade Minister Mary Ng says the U.S. has signalled it intends to raise duties to 13.86 per cent, up from 8.05 per cent.  Ng calls the move disappointing and entirely unwarranted.

Increase in U.S. softwood lumber duties 'entirely unwarranted,' trade minister says

B.C. attorney general apologizes to Doukhobors, offers $10M 'compensation package'

B.C. attorney general apologizes to Doukhobors, offers $10M 'compensation package'
The Sons of Freedom were a small faction within the Doukhobor community, an exiled Russian Christian group, and were once known for naked protests and periodically burning down their own homes as a rejection of materialism. In her formal apology Thursday, Attorney General Niki Sharma acknowledged the children were "mistreated both physically and psychologically." 

B.C. attorney general apologizes to Doukhobors, offers $10M 'compensation package'

Evacuation alerts lifted as flood risk recedes across B.C.'s South Coast

Evacuation alerts lifted as flood risk recedes across B.C.'s South Coast
British Columbia's River Forecast Centre lifted a flood warning for the Lillooet and Squamish rivers, saying flows remain high but rainfall and snowmelt are tapering off.  A flood watch remains in effect for the Sproat and Somass rivers on Vancouver Island, while lower-level streamflow advisories cover the rest of the South Coast.

Evacuation alerts lifted as flood risk recedes across B.C.'s South Coast

B.C. launches review of province's Labour Relations Code with panel appointment

B.C. launches review of province's Labour Relations Code with panel appointment
British Columbia is launching a review of its Labour Relations Code and has appointed a three-member panel to recommend possible amendments. Labour Minister Harry Bains says the panel has been told to report back to him by May 31 after consulting interest groups and Indigenous communities on the labour laws.

B.C. launches review of province's Labour Relations Code with panel appointment

17 year old charged in Delta stabbings

17 year old charged in Delta stabbings
Police in Metro Vancouver say a 17-year-old has been charged after stabbings that injured two women last month. A statement from Delta police says their department has been working with R-C-M-P in Surrey to identify a suspect in the stabbings on January 16th and 23rd.

17 year old charged in Delta stabbings

Groundhog Day: Canada's famous furry forecasters predict early spring

Groundhog Day: Canada's famous furry forecasters predict early spring
Canada's famous prognosticating rodents appeared to reach a consensus on Groundhog Day, as furry forecasters spanning three provinces predicted an early spring. The tradition holds that if a groundhog doesn't see its shadow on Groundhog Day, springlike weather will soon arrive. But if a shadow appears, winter's icy grip won't let go for quite some time.

Groundhog Day: Canada's famous furry forecasters predict early spring