The Snuneymuxw First Nation is planning public discussion in its push to replace the Nanaimo Port Authority with a new harbour governance model.
The Snuneymuxw issued a press release earlier this month advising that it has notified the federal government that it expects nation-to-nation discussions about the future of the Nanaimo port.
“The port authority model, the legal structure, it comes from a different era where things like treaty rights, the federal government didn’t care about. They didn’t turn their mind to this issue,” said Douglas White III, Snuneymuxw councillor. “So we’ve got a really significant structural problem.”
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The SFN shared a letter it sent to the ministries of transport, justice and indigenous and northern affairs, detailing dissatisfaction with its dealings with Transport Canada on the topic of harbour governance.
“This conversation is going to happen and we do expect the federal government to be responsive to that basic reality,” White said.
He said the Snuneymuxw has treaty rights to its fishery and management of its fishery.
“Every activity of the Nanaimo Port Authority infringes upon and displaces the traditional economy of the Snuneymuxw people through our fishery…” White said. “There isn’t any fulsome participation by Snuneymuxw in key decision making that we should be involved in. There certainly isn’t anything like revenue sharing with Snuneymuxw.”
Bernie Dumas, president and CEO of the Nanaimo Port Authority, said the port wants to work with the First Nation on economic development ideas, but added that the port is a government agency with a limited mandate.
“We recognize that they have a treaty and historical and traditional rights which we try to manage and try to respect, but we can’t negotiate those details…” Dumas said. “So we run on the treadmill all the time trying to get Snuneymuxw to look at a regional focus rather than a treaty focus. We’re hoping to be able to get the dialogue going again.”
Port governance includes overlapping interests in the Harbour City. In April, Nanaimo city council agreed to support a Nanaimo Marina Association proposal to create a Greater Nanaimo Waterfront Association non-profit to provide stewardship of water lots, which is a function of the Nanaimo Port Authority.
Odai Sirri, spokesman for the marina association, said the status quo under the port authority is unacceptable. Change is coming, he said, speaking in support of the Snuneymuxw-led public dialogue.
“This is all part of the process. This is all part of how change happens,” Sirri said. “You build the groundswell of support and you start moving forward on those plans and you start implementing the strategic vision.”
Sirri likes the port society model used in Victoria. White said no other community’s model is a perfect fit because every port is unique. He said in Nanaimo, there are parties who are fully committed to discussing replacing the port authority and also doing the work to make it happen.
Dumas said the port authority is confident it has the support of the federal government and will “probably not” participate in the Snuneymuxw’s public discussion process.
The City of Nanaimo, however, could play a role. Coun. Bill Bestwick said he thinks the city would be a participant in a public process because the port is “the most precious piece of property in our downtown core” and impacts multiple stakeholders, including First Nations and other residents, industry and commerce as well as ecosystems.
“So I don’t think any of these contemplations take place without there being some opportunities that may present themselves to be more beneficial and efficient moving forward,” Bestwick said.
The public process is slated to begin in September, though details haven’t yet been announced. White said there’s a desire to find a structure that respects Snuneymuxw’s interests, creates certainty for business and is attentive to the needs and concerns of the city.
“There’s all different kinds of approaches and models that we’re going to be looking at, trying to figure out what is the best fit for this region,” he said.
