The Matsqui First Nation will receive $59 million under Canada’s Specific Claim Policy for the historic loss of reserve land going back 116 years.
The claim involves a corridor of land that was removed from the Matsqui reserve in 1908 by Canada, and given to the Vancouver Power Company — now B.C. Hydro — to build a tramway.
The settlement recognizes that the compensation given to Matsqui at the time was inadequate, and that Canada breached an agreement to build and maintain rights of way over the rail line, resulting in Matsqui land being cut off from any kind of practical use.
Matsqui Chief Alice McKay said the settlement is not reconciliation, rather hopefully the start of a relationship based
