BC LIBERAL GOVERNMENT GUILTY OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2006
Cranbrook: BC Conservative Leader Wilf Hanni claimed today that the BC Government is guilty of racial discrimination in its dealing with the Tsawwassen Indian Band.
The government wants to expand the Roberts Bank superport to facilitate the increase in Asian trade. “This is commendable,” said Hanni, “except that they want to show favouritism to the Tsawwassen Indian Band, in order to accomplish this”. Part of the Treaty being negotiated with the Tsawwassen Band is a huge chunk (approximately 400 hectares) of prime agricultural land. A large portion of this land is to be removed from the ALR and rezoned for industrial and residential use to permit the Tsawwassen band to expand roads and container facilities. These roads and facilities are essential for the expansion of the Roberts Bank superport, and to build a lucrative housing development -- in addition to other commercial developments.
“Of course, the Tsawwassen Band is in favour of this proposed agreement,” said Hanni. “Who wouldn’t be; they stand to make millions of dollars. However, it is at the expense of losing a tract of British Columbia’s best agricultural land forever. If ever, there was a case for maintaining the ALR land base, this is it.”
Hanni pointed out that a great many residents of British Columbia have suffered as a result of the imposition of the ALR on huge tracts of land in the Interior that are totally uneconomic because they are not suited for agriculture. “These lands have no agricultural value whatsoever, and should not have been included in the ALR to begin with. Now, the government refuses to remove these parcels from the ALR so that they can be utilized for urban expansion or commercial development,” added Hanni. "But they are willing to remove prime agricultural land from the ALR in order to get their seaport expansion and satisfy the Tsawwassen Indian band. This is not fair and equal treatment for everyone under the law. This is race based politics at its worst.”
November 21, 2006
Cranbrook: BC Conservative Leader Wilf Hanni claimed today that the BC Government is guilty of racial discrimination in its dealing with the Tsawwassen Indian Band.
The government wants to expand the Roberts Bank superport to facilitate the increase in Asian trade. “This is commendable,” said Hanni, “except that they want to show favouritism to the Tsawwassen Indian Band, in order to accomplish this”. Part of the Treaty being negotiated with the Tsawwassen Band is a huge chunk (approximately 400 hectares) of prime agricultural land. A large portion of this land is to be removed from the ALR and rezoned for industrial and residential use to permit the Tsawwassen band to expand roads and container facilities. These roads and facilities are essential for the expansion of the Roberts Bank superport, and to build a lucrative housing development -- in addition to other commercial developments.
“Of course, the Tsawwassen Band is in favour of this proposed agreement,” said Hanni. “Who wouldn’t be; they stand to make millions of dollars. However, it is at the expense of losing a tract of British Columbia’s best agricultural land forever. If ever, there was a case for maintaining the ALR land base, this is it.”
Hanni pointed out that a great many residents of British Columbia have suffered as a result of the imposition of the ALR on huge tracts of land in the Interior that are totally uneconomic because they are not suited for agriculture. “These lands have no agricultural value whatsoever, and should not have been included in the ALR to begin with. Now, the government refuses to remove these parcels from the ALR so that they can be utilized for urban expansion or commercial development,” added Hanni. "But they are willing to remove prime agricultural land from the ALR in order to get their seaport expansion and satisfy the Tsawwassen Indian band. This is not fair and equal treatment for everyone under the law. This is race based politics at its worst.”
– 30 –
posted by Ryan @ 2:31 PM
0 comments
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home