Fisheries And Oceans Canada Announces Agreement On Transfer Of Garden City Lands In Richmond
March 18, 2005
Richmond, BC – The Honourable Raymond Chan, Minister of State (Multiculturalism) and MP for Richmond, announced today, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Musqueam Indian Band, the City of Richmond and Canada Lands Company regarding the transfer and future development of the former Garden City transmitter site land.
Minister Chan made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), whose commitment to cooperation and strong support led to this successfully negotiated agreement which provides for the federal government to divest the Garden City property in accordance with the MOU while realizing market value for the Crown and ensuring the site will be in good hands to plan its future on behalf of local needs and interests.
“The Garden City land deal has been 25 years in the making and I am pleased to be here today to announce what is one of the most significant achievements that I have had the opportunity to participate in during my career as the Member of Parliament for Richmond,” said Minister Chan. “This is an historic agreement in that the federal government made a deliberate decision to seek to resolve the issues relating to the future of the Garden City property through a mediated, non-confrontational approach that meets the needs of all parties, rather than through continued litigation.”
“We view this settlement as a historic achievement which delivers major economic benefit to the Musqueam community. Most importantly, we have been recognized as an equal participant in the major land issues within our traditional territory,” said Chief Ernest Campbell of the Musqueam Indian Band.
“This is a win-win situation for all the stakeholders and the entire community,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “It guarantees that a significant portion of this land will become parkland and public amenity space and that any development on the site will be coordinated with the City and be in the best interests of our community.”
In the MOU, the parties have agreed that once certain understandings are fulfilled, the litigation commenced by the Musqueam Indian Band challenging the decision of the federal government to transfer the land to Canada Lands Company (CLC), will be discontinued. The parties have also agreed that the injunction granted in January 2004 preventing the transfer of property will be suspended so the understandings in the MOU can be fulfilled.
The MOU provides that the 55-hectare/136.5 acre site will be developed by the City of Richmond, the Musqueam Indian Band and the CLC. While it is expected that the property will see development for commercial and residential use, a significant portion of the property is to remain as parkland and for public-use buildings, potentially including a trade and exhibition centre and a cultural centre.
It is expected that the land will be rezoned for these purposes.
The MOU provides that the property will be transferred to the CLC for $9.54 million and will be divided 50 percent to Richmond and 50 per cent to a joint venture project involving the Musqueam Indian Band and the CLC as equal partners.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada no longer requires the former Canadian Coast Guard transmitter site for program requirements.
Memorandum of Understanding
