Disposal of a 50% undivided right of ownership of the Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site into a trust

Feb 8, 2019

In accordance with The Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals (2010), a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) was conducted on January 15, 2019. The purpose of SEA is to incorporate environmental considerations into the development of public policies, plans, and program proposals to support environmentally-sound decision making. Individual projects undertaken to implement management statement objectives at the stie will be evaluated to determine if an impact assessment is required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012, or successor legislation.

By this proposal, the Parks Canada Agency will dispose, at no cost, of a 50% undivided right of ownership of the Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site into a trust whose beneficiary is the Obadjiwan Corporation (whose members belong to the Timiskaming First Nation). This disposal will implement an agreement in principle signed in 2000 by the then-responsible Minister of Parks Canada Agency, the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, and the Chief of the Timiskaming First Nation. The proposal is a tangible demonstration of the Government’s commitment towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

The proposal will not substantially contribute to or challenge the Federal Sustainable Development goals. There are no important negative environmental effects anticipated from the implementation of the Trust Patrimony Agreement.

The project will have neutral or positive effects on the natural or cultural resources and visitor experience opportunities of the Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site; it will have neutral or positive socio-economic effects and will enhance and protect the existing and future well-being of Algonquin communities in this area.