Tsawwassen First Nation [English Bluffs surrender claim]

On May 19, 2005, the Tsawwassen First Nation asked the Commission to conduct an inquiry into this claim. The Commission agreed to conduct an inquiry in June 2005. The facts upon which this claim is based relate to the surrenders and sales, in 1957, of lands at the Tsawwassen Reserve No. 0. The lands in question were surrendered and sold as two separate parcels, one of 87.9 acres and another of approximately seven acres. The First Nation alleges undue or improper influence, conflict of interest, and breaches of fiduciary duty by Canada in failing to maximize benefits to the First Nation. The claim does not question the validity of the surrenders.

A statement of issues was agreed to at a conference call in January 2006. A planning conference was held in March 2006, to discuss scheduling and other items, including a joint research project by the parties. A completion date for this research project is to be established, as well as dates for a staff visit and a community session. A conference call is scheduled for April 2006.