That is the long-awaited ‘effective day’ for Tsawwassen First Nation’s treaty, ratified by TFN members in 2007.
Chief Kim Baird was looking ahead to that date back in October when she signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the municipality of Delta that outlined a range of service agreements between the two governments.
"It's a really exciting time for the Tsawwassen First Nation since we have ratified the first urban treaty in BC,” Baird said at the signing ceremony at TFN’s offices. Also putting a signature to the MOA was Delta Mayor Lois Jackson.
“We started the journey over 15 years ago and now we're on a road much-less-traveled as we work hard to implement our treaty," said Baird.
The MOA provides a framework to develop five new agreements with Delta over drainage and irrigation, dike maintenance and flood management, roads, parks and recreation as well as library services. TFN has existing service agreements for fire protection, police services, water services, emergency planning and animal control with Delta.
Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Michael de Jong, who witnessed the signing, said: "You can't emphasize enough the importance of what is taking place here today between the Tsawwassen First Nation and Delta through their leaders coming together on behalf of their people.
“The treaty is a grand instrument, a grand document. This is about actually working together now for the benefit of people in very practical ways. Services to people to improve their lives, to improve the efficiency at a time when all governments struggle to make the best use of limited resources, and now it’s happening."
Delta received a $100,000 grant from the province to develop the servicing agreements. Mayor Jackson said it “provides certainty for both governments, allowing Delta and the Tsawwassen First Nation to secure our respective infrastructure is very important to both of us. It is truly a major step toward achieving harmony and working relationships with our two neighbouring, local, independent governments. I look very much forward to building on this relationship as we move forward."
Long time coming
BC’s first urban treaty became law after the Senate in Ottawa granted royal assent on June 27, 2008. That was the final stage in the ratification process.
Chief Baird told Klahowya last year that there was much work to do before the treaty came into effect at TFN.
“Ninety per cent of the work on treaty is internal. There must be about 25 projects we have to complete by the effective day.”
That work focused on five essential areas: institutional development, financial planning and management, lands-related development, relationship building and other projects.
Institutional development relates to building TFN's governance institutions to ensure that it is capable of making laws, enforcing decisions and solving disputes.
Financial planning involves putting in place a financial management structure that will enable TFN to take advantage of its block-transfer agreement, and to remain accountable for spending.
Lands-related development relates to tasks that ensure that all lands are transferred to TFN with no outstanding issues. This includes a land-use planning process, development plans, zoning plans, servicing and infrastructure plans.
The MOA signing with Delta highlighted relationship building. TFN will also become a member of several large regional governance bodies including: the Greater Vancouver Regional District; Translink; the water district; and the sewer district.