The Governments of Canada and British Columbia are in negotiations on the Te’mexw Treaty with five Coast Salish First Nations on Lower Vancouver Island. Local governments who may be impacted by this treaty have come together to identify and share their interests and
concerns.

The local Te’mexw treaty advisory committee understands the need for the treaty process. Recognizing its impact on municipalities and the people who reside in them, the committee has been working since 2005 to have local interests heard.

.The Te’mexw Treaty and Local Government

The Te’mexw Treaty Advisory Committee has identified interests in seven areas that may impact local government and the people they represent.

1. Standards & Regulations – Local governments are required to maintain safety, environmental and public health standards. We need compatible standards and regulations on all lands, including treaty settlement lands. The issues: environmental standards, economic and environmental sustainability, building inspection, fire protection, business regulations and assistance, and emergency preparedness.

2. Land Use Planning & Servicing – Local governments facilitate the planning of healthy
communities. We need existing processes such as Official Community Plans, the Regional
Growth Strategy and other bylaws to be coordinated with First Nations. The issues: boundary roads and development approvals, servicing costs, land transfers, and shared services such as schools, recreation, hospitals, parks, police, emergency telecommunications, libraries and more.

3. Infrastructure & Services – Local governments provide and maintain sewers, water, parks, recreation, waste management, fire and police protection and more. We need to work with First Nations to ensure that infrastructure and services are efficiently provided at the lowest possible cost. The issues: infrastructure standards, capital costs for common servicing and access to right of ways.

4. Revenue & Taxation – Local governments must maintain stable budgets without unduly
increasing the tax burden for individuals or property. We need to ensure that local governments maintain their current tax base. The issues: loss of grants in lieu of taxes, taxation without representation.

5. Governance – Local governments have well defined working relationships with the federal and provincial governments and between themselves. We need a clearly defined relationship between local governments and First Nations. The issues: participation in regional planning, input into treaty language on local government relations, applying and enforcing bylaws.

6. Natural Resources – Local governments depend upon access to natural resources for
livelihood and recreation. We need a say in the management of the natural resources on treaty settlement lands. The issues: access to recreational areas, protection of water resources, the agricultural land reserve, green space and air quality.

7. Communication – Local government and First Nations relations are dependent on an orderly transition process that is understood and supported by all. We need a communication protocol between TAC members and local Bands. The issues: working together to achieve mutual understanding and collaboratively exchanging information.

Although the Te’mexw Treaty Advisory Committee has a limited ability to influence treaty
negotiations, its members will continue to put forward the interests of local government and
municipal taxpayers.

To learn more or to have your say, please contact your local MLA, MP or the Honourable
George Abbott, BC’s Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. Further information on the Te’mexw Treaty is available at: www.gov.bc.ca/arr/firstnation/temexw/

ALSO SEE THIS GUIDE, The Te’mexw TAC coordinates and represents the interests of most Lower Vancouver Island local governments within the Capital Regional District, and through them their local constituents, representing their needs to the Te’mexw Treaty Negotiations as a member of the Provincial Negotiating Team.