TAKE NOTICE that Council of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the Jubilee Centre Council Chamber located on the 1st Floor at 9909 Franklin Avenue, Fort McMurray, Alberta, regarding the following matter:
Smith’s Landing First Nation – Additions to Reserve
Smith’s Landing First Nation (SLFN) has requested that the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) provide a letter of municipal support to add a single lot to the Thabacha Náre Reserve No. 196A, through the Additions to Reserve (ATR) process. The lot is legally described as Plan 0223488, Block 2, Lot 4B, as shown in the map below.
The Lot is located within the RMWB and is approximately 7.16 hectares (17.69 acres) in area, and is roughly 3.5 kilometers south of the town of Fort Smith, NT. It is proposed that the Lot be used for residential purposes to accommodate community growth.
The Lot was purchased by the Smith’s Landing First Nation Development Corporation in 2018, and was subject at the time of purchase to a Deferred Reserve Caveat (DRC), which remains on the title. The DRC was registered on the title to the Lot at the time of the subdivision creating the Lot in 2002. The DRC reflects that the reserves attributable for the Lot in 2002 remain outstanding. However, prior to the Lot being included as an ATR, Federal "additions to reserve" policy requires that the DRC must first be discharged by the RMWB. It is the opinion of legal counsel that the discharge of the DRC is akin to a disposition of a reserve interest for which only Council has authority, pursuant to section 674 of the MGA.
A copy of all related documents may be inspected between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday by contacting:
Indigenous and Rural Relations 6th Floor, Jubilee Centre, Fort McMurray Info.irr@rmwb.ca |
or |
Legislative Services 7th Floor, Jubilee Centre, Fort McMurray Legislative.Assistants@rmwb.ca 780-743-7001 |
Or by viewing here:
Smith's Landing First Nation - Addition to Reserve - Council Report
Participating in the Public Hearing:
- If you would like to appear in-person before Council during the Public Hearing:
- You may register with Legislative Services prior to 12:00 noon, Monday, March 25, 2024 or prior to the start of the Public Hearing in the Council Chamber:
- Register on-line at www.rmwb.ca/publichearingsubmission, or;
- Email Legislative.Assistants@rmwb.ca; or
- Call Legislative Services at 780-743-7001.
- Your registration must include your full name, organization name (if required), address, telephone number, email address and clearly indicate support or opposition to the bylaw.
If you would like to make a written submission for Council’s consideration at the Public Hearing:
- You must submit any written materials to the Chief Legislative Officer prior to 12:00 noon, Monday, March 25, 2024.
- Submit on-line at www.rmwb.ca/publichearingsubmission;
- Email Legislative.Assistants@rmwb.ca.
- Your submission must include your full name, organization name (if required), address, telephone number, email address and clearly indicate support or opposition to the bylaw.
- It is at Council’s discretion to accept submissions from those who have not submitted a request prior to the above noted timeline. Subject to Council’s consent to speak at the Public Hearing, anyone who wishes to also distribute written material at the time of their presentation should bring 15 copies of their material for distribution.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. If you require an accommodation to participate, please include the details in your request to participate. Advanced notice is required as some accommodations can take time to arrange.
Please note written submissions are considered public documents, any information and materials you submit to Council for their consideration at the Public Hearing is added in its entirety to the agenda package, which is made available to the public and posted on the Municipality’s website. Verbal submissions will have a maximum of 5 minutes to address Council. All submissions to the Public Hearing must be received prior to, or during, the Public Hearing. Submissions cannot be made following the conclusion of the Public Hearing.
DATED at Fort McMurray, Alberta this 15 day of March 2024.
Jade Brown
Chief Legislative Officer
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
9909 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2K4
Phone: (780) 743-7001
Fax: (780) 743-7028
Email: Legislative.Assistants@rmwb.ca