Langford council approves Beecher Bay venture in Centre Mountain development

Earlier this month, Langford council moved to approve the application of Robert Jones of Vortex Engineering Inc., on behalf of Keycorp Industrial Developments & Beecher Bay First Nation to permit the temporary use of a FedEx Freight mobile dock for package sorting and shipping in the Centre Mountain Business Park.

Without multiple means to develop and use their lands for economic benefit, the opportunities for First Nations in BC to achieve the quality of life enjoyed by other communities is severely restricted. More frequently, First Nations like Beecher Bay (Sc’ianew) are pursuing a greater share in the benefits and opportunities that come from leasing and subleasing their lands.  

Land development for the majority of First Nations is controlled by the Land Management Regime of the Indian Act and administered by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC).

The current FedEx facility is in Langford on what was Western Speedway lands. 

Ruth Sauder, administrator from Beecher Bay speaking to council on behalf of Chief Russ Chipps, explained that First Nations are dependent upon minimal funding from the federal government and do not have the ability to levy and collect taxes the way municipalities do. 

“We've been working with two established developers as co-developers of the Centre Mountain Business Park, and we have been at it on an ongoing basis, every three to six times a month, meetings for a very long time, and we have spent tens of millions of dollars, but today is our first opportunity as a community to get some revenue back from that project,” said Sauder.

The property in question was initially part of reconciliatory boundary adjustments in a 2017 land-swap agreement between the City of Langford, Metchosin and Sc’ianew Nation. It was agreed then that tax revenues from that land would be split between the three entities. The swap marked the beginning of the Centre Mountain development that also earmarked and preserved green space for Metchosin. The permit will generate significant revenue for the Beecher Bay community.

“We're getting engaged in something that could be a successful business. It’s a point of pride. And when people hear that we may become the landlord of FedEx, our members are very proud of that. And I want to tell you that our kids are starting to see more hope, maybe, than they've seen in the past,” said Sauder.

First Nations youth living on reserves in Canada are far less likely to achieve a high school diploma than their non-Indigenous counterparts. They do not enjoy the same economic opportunities as a result due to lack of education and lack of jobs at home. The FedEx lease offers economic benefits more broadly to the community, and the potential for jobs for youth.

“All of our 18-year-olds graduated from high school this year, I think it's because they're starting to see hope for the future, and they want to know how they can be involved and engaged and do a better job in building a more successful community for Beecher Bay,” said Sauder.

Chief Chipps, calling into the meeting said, “It is a good chance to show what we can do at Beecher Bay and take those first moves in reconciliation. And we're inviting you to take that walk with us. As usual, I think it's most important that the walk be economic-based in our community, because we need to bring people home, and this is the first stage of that.” 

One concern raised by a member of the Langford community, was in regards to the impact of the infrastructure on Metchosin and Bilston Creeks, but they were assured by the engineering department that the proposed site stormwater management system was designed to bylaw standards and had already been approved. 

“I appreciate what's been said about the environment, the protection of the environment and the protections of creeks down there, and I just wanted to remind the group that we gave up 250 acres of land [to Metchosin] that was unregulated, and had no covenants on them whatsoever,” said Chief Chipps.

To the chief’s comments, Sauder added, “I just want to take a moment and remind everybody that for time immemorial, we have been the stewards of this land. We are the ones that have been taking care of it, and that is our goal, that is a need for us and for the seven generations to follow. So please take into consideration that we have been doing our best, and that we continue to strive to do the best.”

Following Sauder’s comments, Langford council approved the motion.