Benefits to having a Land Code:
- First real recognition of T’ít’q’et’s inherent right to manage our own reserve lands and resources;
- Removal of T’ít’q’et reserve lands from the administrative provisions of the Indian Act;
- Lands continue to be “reserves” protected under Section 91(24) of the Constitution Act;
- Reserve lands cannot diminish in size and are protected for future generations
- Protection against any provincial or federal expropriation of T’ít’q’et land except in a national emergency;
- Recognition of real law-making powers respecting T’ít’q’et
- Ability to reflect T’ít’q’et heritage and culture in the Land Code
- Community control over land governance and economic development
- More efficient management of T’ít’q’et reserve lands (i.e. a lease arrangement under the Framework Agreement takes 1 month as opposed to 12-24 months under the Indian Act [according to KPMG]);
- Greater ability to take action on business opportunities, Government of Canada approval not required
- Significantly less transaction costs
- Supports the establishment of clear, transparent rules for the protection and development of reserve lands
- Ability to create local dispute resolution processes
- A T’ít’q’et developed Registry system that is:
- Paperless
- Priority based
- Allows for title insurance
- Backed by regulation not policy