Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

'Confidentiality breached,' Kapyong settlement delayed

By: Mia Rabson

Posted: 12/8/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 12/8/2012 11:25 AM | Updates

Kapyong Barracks (JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

OTTAWA -- There is still hope the Kapyong Barracks dispute can be negotiated to a settlement, but the solution is no longer imminent.

More than a week ago, Sagkeeng First Nation Chief Donavan Fontaine said he was told a settlement was nearly complete to solve the years-long fight over the prime south Winnipeg real estate.

But it appears negotiations quickly fell off the rails. Peguis First Nation Chief Glenn Hudson said Friday that "because the confidentiality was breached," both First Nations and the federal government backed off.

Sources said Ottawa had offered the Treaty 1 First Nations, who are challenging the sale of the Kapyong Barracks, up to half the site's 65 hectares at the corner of Grant Avenue and Kenaston Boulevard.

Hudson would not confirm that was the offer or whether Ottawa rescinded it after the stories hit the media.

The two parties were in court last week in Winnipeg fighting the case before a judge.

The Kapyong Barracks were abandoned in 2004 when the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry unit was moved west to Shilo.

In 2007, Ottawa moved to sell the land to the Canada Lands Co. for about $8.5 million. Shortly after that, the seven Treaty 1 First Nations went to court to stop the sale, arguing they should have first crack at the land as part of treaty entitlements.

That case has been before the courts ever since. Originally, a federal judge sided with the First Nations and said Ottawa had to properly consult them before selling the property.

That decision was overturned on appeal and the case was sent back the lower court for reconsideration. That happened last week, but there is no word on when a decision might come.

Fontaine said there was nothing further to say about Kapyong this week. He and many other Manitoba chiefs were in Ottawa for a special chiefs' meeting of the Assembly of First Nations.

Hudson said just because the court case proceeded does not mean negotiations have stopped completely.

"Clearly, we've always been open to settling," he said. "There is still the option to negotiate, regardless of the court hearing."

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 8, 2012 B1

History

Updated on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 11:25 AM CST: adds photo

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.