OREANDA-NEWS. September 06, 2016. The Government of Canada is working in partnership with Indigenous peoples and the private sector to create new development opportunities that will improve the well-being and quality of life for their communities, while driving economic growth for all Canadians.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, together with the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Mark Wallace, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs for Canadian Pacific (CP), and Chief Jonathan Kruger of the Penticton Indian Band today announced an agreement to transfer five parcels of land totalling approximately 45 acres to the Penticton Indian Band. The land will be transferred from CP to the Government of Canada, and then to the Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation in trust for the Penticton Indian Band membership. On September 6, Minister Garneau will be meeting with Mr. Wallace and Penticton Indian Band Councillors Kevin Gabriel and Travis Kruger in Vancouver to mark this agreement.

The land is being transferred through a unique approach, which involved the cooperation of all parties, and was facilitated by the Government of Canada.

Quotes

“Creating and expanding the conditions necessary to accelerate economic development opportunities for Indigenous peoples to fully participate in the economy is a priority for the Government of Canada. This transfer brings certainty to the land base and has the potential to unlock economic benefits, both for the Penticton Indian Band and surrounding communities. This land transfer is a notable example of the federal government working in partnership with Indigenous organizations and the private sector. It will be my great pleasure to meet with Penticton Indian Band Council Members Kruger and Gabriel and Canadian Pacific to mark this transfer.”
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

“Today’s announcement clearly demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to finding shared solutions through dialogue, as part of the overall work to renew relationships and advance reconciliation with First Nations. This land transfer will provide community and economic development opportunities.”
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

“CP welcomes today’s agreement and looks forward to continued collaboration with the Government of Canada and the Penticton Indian Band. CP is proud to be part of the solution and recognizes the significance of this agreement and the long-term certainty it will create for the Penticton Indian Band.”
Mark Wallace
Canadian Pacific’s Vice-President of Corporate Affairs

“On behalf of the Penticton Indian Band, we are proud of the hard work done to settle some of these long-standing issues. It is great that we are moving forward, focusing on our interests, rather than our positions. I am proud of the hard work done by the leadership, CP and Canada.”
Chief Jonathan Kruger, Penticton Indian Band