The Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations announced Wednesday that they had jointly acquired three properties in Metro Vancouver that had previously belonged to the Government of Canada.
The First Nations have partnered with Canada Lands Company to purchase the lands, which will be developed over a number of years. Ownership will be split 50-50 between the nations and Canada Lands.
The largest of the properties is the Jericho Lands, a 21-hectare parcel previously owned by the Department of National Defence. It is situated between 4th and 8th avenues west of Highbury Street in Vancouver’s West Point Grey neighbourhood.
The First Nations also acquired 8.5 hectares on Heather Street between 33rd and 37th avenues -- a property formerly owned by Public Works and Government Services Canada -- and 2 hectares on Marine Drive near Burkehill Road in West Vancouver formerly owned by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
In a release, the nations said there are “no preconceived plans” for what will be built on the properties.
The release promises “an extensive consultation process in conjunction with the City of Vancouver and District of West Vancouver that will provide local communities and the general public a forum to discuss ideas and views about the future of the sites.”
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson expressed similar expectations to reporters on Wednesday.
“Obviously there’s going to need to be a lot of community feedback and consultation on this,” he said. “I’m very committed to seeing the voice of Vancouver and the community weighing in here with regard to the future of those lands and how it’s going to be developed.”
Asked what he would like to see built on the properties, Robertson said the city’s needs include affordable housing and green space, but he didn’t get specific.
“I think those are general concerns that will be raised,” he said. “There needs to be a good process around this.”
