Kapyong dispute long way from being settled
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/12/2012 (4916 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
OTTAWA — There is still hope the Kapyong Barracks dispute can be negotiated to a settlement, but the solution is no longer imminent.
More than a week ago, Sagkeeng Chief Donavan Fontaine said he had been told a settlement was nearly complete to solve the years-long fight over the prime real estate in south Winnipeg.
But it appears negotiations quickly fell off the rails.
Peguis Chief Glenn Hudson said Friday “because the confidentiality was breached” both First Nations and the federal government backed off.
Sources said Ottawa had offered the Treaty One First Nations challenging the sale of the Kapyong Barracks, up to half the 65 hectares of land at the corner of Grant Avenue and Kenaston Boulevard.
Hudson would not confirm that was the offer nor whether Ottawa rescinded it after the stories hit the media.
The two parties were in court last week in Winnipeg fighting the case before a judge.
The Kapyong Barracks were abandoned in 2004 when the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was moved west to Shilo. In 2007, Ottawa moved to sell the land to the Canada Lands Company for about $8.5 million. Shortly after that, the seven Treaty One First Nations went to court to stop the sale, arguing they should have first crack at the land as part of treaty entitlements.
That case has been before the courts ever since. Originally a federal judge sided with First Nations and said Ottawa had to properly consult First Nations before selling the land. That decision was overturned on an appeal and the case was sent back the lower court for another go-around.
That happened last week, but there is no word on when a decision may now be made.
Fontaine said there was nothing further to say about Kapyong this week. He along with many other Manitoba chiefs were in Ottawa for a special chiefs’ meeting of the Assembly of First Nations.
Hudson said just because the court case proceeded does not mean negotiations have stopped completely.
“Clearly we’ve always been open to settling,” he said. “There is still the option to negotiate regardless of the court hearing.”
» Winnipeg Free Press