(The following report appeared on the CBC News-British Columbia website on April 20.)
VICTORIA — A group of B.C. First Nations says the B.C. Rail lease agreement with CN Rail infringes on aboriginal rights, and should be scrapped.
The demand by the Title and Rights Alliance comes after new information on the privatization was leaked to the media.
That information indicates the lease agreement between the Campbell government and CN can be extended every 60 years – for a total of 990 years.
The Alliance’s Justa Monk says the 16 First Nations that have thrown their support behind the deal, did so on the basis of the original information released by the government.
But he says that support could change with this new revelation – noting that nine other First Nations with a direct interest are also rejecting the deal.
Premier Gordon Campbell says aboriginal title concerns over the B.C. Rail sale will be addressed by the government.
“We intend to live up to all of our obligations to First Nations. We have 16 First Nations that have agreed that this is a positive arrangement, on their behalf,” says the premier. “We obviously want to move forward with it.”
But Campbell also indicates the deal is going ahead, with or without the support of First Nations, saying there is not a veto.
The province has put up $15 million for the 25 First Nations directly affected by the deal.
Monk says the vast majority of First Nations people are opposed to the B.C. Rail deal – and calls that $15 million money designed to keep them quiet.