MICHAEL’S BAY—Tehkummah township Reeve Eric Russell says that the federal government, in reviewing the management and disposal of properties in Michael’s Bay, will not be providing these properties to the township.
“Danielle Pilon of the federal public works department has told us that it is not an option to give the property to Tehkummah,” stated Mr. Russell, on Friday of last week. “She said Tehkummah is not an option at this time.”
“We own all the roads in the old Michael’s Bay townsite and it would be nice if the government gave the property to the township,” said Mr. Russell.
As was reported recently Judy M. Foote, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, had indicated in a letter dated February 18, “in a complex international criminal prosecution, the properties were restrained as proceeds of crime and were initially forfeited to Belgium. Under international treaties, Canada recognizes the Belgian forfeiture order and has been tasked with managing the properties.”
Ms. Foote explained, “although the government of Canada gained legal title to the properties on November 8, 2014, the treaties that permitted Canada to gain legal title also impose a fiduciary responsibility to return a share of the proceeds of disposal to Belgium. While Canada is the current owner of the property, it has related external obligations. Similarly, the Government of Canada has obligations to consult local aboriginal groups as part of the disposition process and has been consulting with the government of Ontario, local municipalities and other stakeholders.”
“The Seized Property Management Directorate of Public Services and Procurement Canada has been tasked with managing and disposing of the properties in Michael’s Bay and is currently investigating which method of disposal will best meet all of Canada’s obligations while also taking into account the interests of other levels of government and stakeholders. Once the diverse obligations and interests in the properties have been fully addressed, the resulting disposition process will be publicly disposed,” continued Ms. Foote.
“In response to concerns from the community, limited license to access some of the properties has been provided to Doug Tracy,” wrote Ms. Foote. “Mr. Tracy has been granted this access in order to address heritage issues.”
However, Ms. Foote noted, “unfettered public access is not being provided due to potential safety, security and liability risks that otherwise would not exist. Please be assured that all options for managing and disposing of the properties are being carefully weighed while respecting obligations under Canadian and international laws.”
“I’m going to be calling our MP Carol Hughes on this issue,” said Mr. Russell. “Ms. Pilon has said they are not looking at giving the property to Tehkummah, that it was not an option at this time.”
