It’s rarely discussed but inept federal decisions are holding back the local economy.
Specifically, a lack of commitment from the Department of National Defense to clean up explosives has meant the Okanagan Indian Band has been unable to develop some prime property along the north arm of Okanagan Lake.
While the band would have prospered from such growth, much of the cash would have gone elsewhere.
“We buy lumber and all of the other materials for developments plus labour,” said Chief Byron Louis in an interview.
“The surrounding communities and the provincial and federal government would benefit from taxes.”
It’s frustrating for Louis to see 7,000 acres of land stagnate when other bands in the region have embraced the entrepreneurial spirit.
“Look at the Westbank First Nation,” he says in reference to that band’s focus on residential housing and shopping malls.
Vernon developments also provide examples of lost opportunities.
“I drove through Predator Ridge and we have land that is superior,” said Louis.
While some sites have been cleared of unexploded ordnances (UXOs), there isn’t enough cash coming from Ottawa to do the job.
“All we receive is $125,000 a year for four years and yet the cost is hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Louis.
“It could take 400 years at this rate to get it done.”
According to a recent Maclean’s article, DND’s budget for the current fiscal year to tackle UXO sites across the country is $6.8 million, which will barely make a dent in the issue.
And on top of this, the former Conservative government clawed back almost $1 billion in unspent money from DND.
“We could have used that money,” insists Louis. “They only did it because it looked good moving into an election.”
Given that the new Liberal government is struggling with a collapsing dollar, uncertain international markets and dropping oil prices, it’s reasonable to assume that extra money for removing explosives isn’t happening.
However, prior to being elected prime minister, Justin Trudeau made a commitment to establish new relationships with First Nations and to bring them into the Canadian fold.
There’s probably no better way to do that than to allow First Nations to become self-sufficient and generate revenue that can be directed towards much-needed housing and social services. Such a move would cripple the still common perception of bands having their hand out.
But for that to happen, First Nations must have access to their land and that means getting rid of the bombs.
“Don’t see it as a cost, see it as an investment,” said Louis.
The band will continue to press Ottawa hard to live up to its obligations and expedite UXO removal. However, Louis believes the process may speed up if other communities in the region joined together and helped with the lobbying.
“Even if they do it from a perspective of personal gain, it doesn’t matter to us,” he said.
“When First Nations develop, the biggest beneficiaries are the municipalities and regional governments adjacent to First Nations.”