Creating Opportunities for Qalipu First Nation Qalipu Business Park

Agenda Qalipu First Nation Business Park Concept Partnering For Success Conceptual Plan for Moving Forward Next Steps

Agenda Item # 1 Qalipu First Nation

Qalipu First Nation(QFN) Mi’kmaq have always been present on the island of Newfoundland However when the colony joined Canada it “pencilled out” any references to Indians As a result recognition of First Nations was delayed by many years In 1985 the Miawpukek First Nation and Conne River reserve were created The two Innu governments and reserves in Labrador came on in the early 2000’s.

QFN (Continued) Qalipu was recognized as a First Nation in September, 2011 as a “landless band” (reference Section 7.1 of the Agreement in Principle) over concerns with respect to assuming provincial responsibilities and increased costs associated with social services, housing and K-12 education. Qalipu First Nation currently has 24,454 Band members and a Ward structure consisting of Nine (9) Wards. The Qalipu Band manages a range of programs and services for its members including economic development, employment and training, health and education.

Agenda Item # 2 Business Park Concept

Urban Reserve Defined "Improving the social and economic circumstances of First Nation people is a major priority for the Government of Canada. By offering First Nations economic opportunities that are unavailable in rural areas, urban reserves serve as springboards into the mainstream economy. They reduce operating costs and provide better access to capital markets and transportation routes, enabling First Nations to diversify their economic base. At the same time, they contribute to the economic and business development of urban centres across Canada. All Canadians benefits from their success.” INAC – Urban Reserve a Quiet Success Story

Urban Reserve – Creating Opportunity for First Nations

Qalipu Business Park Defined Qalipu Business Park will be considered as Lands for which a First Nation acquires reserve status for the limited purpose of economic and cultural development. Currently there are 123 such parcels of land in Canada. Saskatchewan has 53. We plan to build our model on the ideas of a true partnership between the First Nation, Municipal, Provincial and Federal Governments for the mutual benefit of all our people.

Qalipu Business Park Characteristics Land is set aside with restrictions on use for economic purposes (non-residential) Band obtains jurisdiction, authority & responsibility over land Properties and businesses in the Qalipu Business Park are exempt from municipal & other government taxes Water, sewer, fire protection, and other services are usually fulfilled through service purchase agreements with municipalities or private suppliers Band Councils can create a competitive advantage through establishing their own taxation and user fee levels

Benefits of Qalipu Business Park Some of the benefits of the Qalipu Business Park include: potential for self-generating revenue increased employment opportunities business development opportunities for the Qalipu First Nation and its members contribution to community development benefits to broader surrounding communities contributes to self-sufficiency for Qalipu First Nation and its members.

First Nation Advantages Reduced dependency on federal government funds Standard of living of members raised Helps First Nation meet their cultural, social and financial development objectives Creates a centralized location for First Nation government, businesses and organizations

Municipal Benefits Financially, the local municipality benefits from: revenue generated through services it provides to the Qalipu Business Park developments and from tax loss compensation when applicable directly from municipal tax revenue of Qalipu Business Park employees that live in town indirectly from Band expenditures employment and business creation generated by spin-off initiatives

Municipal Benefits (Con’t) Political benefits emerge through the creation of new and positive relationships between the First Nation and the Municipality. Begin with service agreements and bylaw harmonization, then build toward new joint efforts Socially, this development: is a symbol of First Nation people making a positive contribution to the greater community the daily exposure to the culture creates better awareness, understanding, and relations creates new jobs and attracts new people to the workforce and community

Summary of Benefits to Municipality Evidence suggests both Qalipu and local government benefit from the Qalipu Business Park: increased revenue to municipality stronger linkages between First Nations and municipal governments create an increased demand for services positive impact on local and regional economic development

Partnering for Success Agenda Item # 3 Partnering for Success

Partnering for Success Qalipu First Nation Municipal Government Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Government of Canada

Qalipu Business Park Joint Committee Qalipu First Nation Chief Brendan Mitchell Central Region Vice-Chief, Joe Bouzanne Corner Brook Ward Councilor, Brian Dicks Stephenville Ward Councilor, Gerard Alexander Qalipu Band Manager, Keith Goulding Consultant, Gerry Kerr (Chignecto Consulting Group)

Qalipu Business Park Joint Committee Municipality Representatives Province of Newfoundland & Labrador Director, Aboriginal Affairs, Brian Harvey Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada TBD

Conceptual Plan for Moving Forward Agenda Item # 4 Conceptual Plan for Moving Forward

Phases in the Process Planning phase Engagement and negotiation phase Develop a conceptual plan for the Qalipu Business Park Engagement and negotiation phase Engage stakeholders, including the municipality, province, federal and other parties Application phase The First Nation submits a proposal with required information, supported by the Band Council Federal approval phase Federal approval, land acquisition, and order-in-council creating the reserve status

Conceptual Plan Components Infrastructure and services Governance Land management regime Own-source revenue Community support

Agenda Item # 5 Next Steps

Next Steps Finalize the partnership for the Qalipu Business Park Joint Committee Secure funding for conceptual plan development Qalipu Business Park Joint Committee meetings Community engagement Intergovernmental liaison

Questions?