July 6, 2023: North Vancouver, BC – Today, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) announces that the protections in the British Columbia Residential Tenancy Act (BCRTA) will be in place for the Sen̓áḵw development and for future on-reserve housing developments. Through the Government of Canada’s First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act (FNCIDA), the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw has more control over economic development by using federal regulations for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh land that incorporate provincial rules.
By using FNCIDA to apply the BCRTA, the Nation can create one system for residential tenancy rules that applies to select housing developments on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh reserve lands as well as Sen̓áḵw. Tenants moving into any of these properties will be protected by the BCRTA as they would in any other rental property in the province. This includes important protections for renters such as:
- Maximum allowable rent increases.
- A first-in-Canada Indigenous led approach to dispute resolution, informed by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh culture, heritage and traditions.
- Maintenance of properties.
- Protection against unfair evictions.
This will benefit both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents of the reestablished village of Sen̓áḵw and will be introduced to three affordable housing developments on-reserve land in North Vancouver, managed by Hiy̓ám Housing:
- Estítkw Place (at Capilano Road)
- Eskékxwi7ch tl’a Sp’áḵw’us Place (at Government Road)
- Chenkw Em̓út (at Mathias Road)
Adopting FNCIDA legislation helps the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw meet its housing needs, raise standards in the community, and successfully manage development projects.
For more information, please contact media@squamish.net.
For more on the Act and FNCIDA Regulations, visit the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act webpage.
“By using FNCIDA to implement British Columbia’s Residential Tenancy Act, our Nation will have more control over how we manage current and future developments. It allows us to raise standards and ensure that future residents will be protected. Most importantly, any dispute resolution will be managed in a process consistent with Squamish ways, informed by our traditions and heritage.”
– Sxwíxwtn, Wilson Williams | Spokesperson, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw
“Today marks another important milestone for the Squamish Nation in bringing their people home. Through the co-development of the FNCIDA Squamish Nation Residential Tenancy Regulations, community members and residents of Vancouver will now benefit from tenancy protections at Sen̓áḵw and Hiy̓ám, making safe, reliable, and affordable housing a reality. This progressive project represents what is possible when all levels of government work together to regenerate prosperity and advance economic reconciliation.”
– Hon. Patty Hajdu | Minister, Indigenous Services Canada, Government of Canada
“This is the first time FNCIDA has been applied to rental developments on reserve in B.C. We support the goals of the Squamish Nation, and the use of FNCIDA to support new affordable housing projects and important protections for tenants and landlords. We are optimistic that this agreement will encourage other First Nations to seek partnerships in similar ways.”
– Murray Rankin | Minister, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Province of British Columbia
“One of the reasons we are choosing to implement the RTA is certainty. Certainty to all residents of our projects, status or non-status, the same set of rules applies to everyone. These well-established policies and processes are easily accessible to everyone. The FNCIDA/RTA will support Hiy̓ám̓’s delivery of tenancy services, that are equitable and transparent.”
– Donalene Rapada | CEO, Hiy̓ám̓ Housing
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (also known as the Squamish Nation) is a unity of the Squamish Peoples with an uplifting culture, rich history, and exciting future. The Nation is an innovative Indigenous government that uses its resources to provide, guide, and protect the Squamish territory and Squamish People. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Stélmexw (Squamish People) continue to reside in the area now described as the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. The largest proportion of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Members live in several urban reserve communities in the present-day cities of Vancouver, North and West Vancouver and the municipality of Squamish, B.C. Over 47 per cent of the nearly 4100 Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Members live on-reserve, and membership is determined by guidelines set out in the Squamish Nation Membership Code. The Nation has never ceded or surrendered title to its lands, rights to its resources or the power to make decisions within its territory.