Te’mexw Treaty negotiations in British Columbia

The Te’mexw Treaty Association, representing five Coast Salish Nations, is entering the final stages of modern treaty negotiations with the British Columbia provincial government and the Canadian federal government. These negotiations, which have been ongoing since 1995, aim to establish land certainty and foster economic development, housing, and healthcare.

Proposed treaty lands include several high-profile Crown properties, such as Hatley Castle, Royal Roads University, Discovery Island, and Sooke Mountain Provincial Park. While the goal is to maintain Hatley Park as a post-secondary campus with public access, officials have noted that access to many treaty lands may become private, requiring permission from the Member Nations. Specifically, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert stated that public access could be managed through temporary closures similar to current BC Parks practices, though some lands may see limited or no public access once they become treaty lands.

In addition to the Hatley Park area, proposed transfers include two downtown Victoria parking lots and Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park. The process has drawn political scrutiny. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay has called for an immediate halt to the transfers, describing the negotiations as “secret deals” that bypass public knowledge and constitute a “betrayal of democracy.”