FRANCAIS

April 11, 2006

Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin today introduced changes to the Real Property Act that would help facilitate the transfer of land to Canada to fulfil its outstanding treaty land entitlements to First Nations.

"Upholding treaty land entitlements (TLEs) is in everyone’s interest," said Lathlin. "Manitoba has made fast-tracking TLEs a priority by increasing staff to deal directly with implementation and now with the introduction of this legislation."

The minister said the legislation is needed because the Government of Canada will not accept land transfers from the province that have certain legal restrictions. "The legislation would help address this situation by clarifying the legal status of the land to be transferred to the Canada. Currently, many properties take much longer than they should to be transferred due to questions regarding the status of utility easements on the land. We expect Canada will accept such transfers faster with the passage of this legislation."

Provincial TLE stems from the period of 1871 to 1910 when seven treaties were signed between First Nations and Canada. Not all First Nations received their full land allocations and Manitoba is constitutionally obligated under the 1930 Manitoba Natural Resource Transfer Agreement (MNRTA) to set aside unoccupied Crown land so that Canada can fulfil its outstanding treaty land entitlements to First Nations.

A total of 27 entitled First Nations in Manitoba can select up to 1,085,949 acres of Crown land and purchase up to 170,368 acres of private land for a total of 1,256,317 acres. To date, Manitoba has transferred approximately 200,000 acres to the federal government of which 109,446 have been set apart as reserve by Canada. Some 200,000 acres are in the process of being surveyed and an additional 240,000 acres have been approved for surveying.

"We have made a commitment to work with the federal government and with First Nations to make the TLE process as efficient and effective as possible," said Lathlin. "The completion of TLEs is important for the future economic development of First Nations and the process requires the sustained efforts of all parties."

- 30 -