Jim Willson did the introduction.

Tim is the founding and current mayor of the village of Redwood Meadows which is a community located within the Tsuu T'ina Reserve. As such, Tim has dealt with the nation for many years and has a unique perspective on the dealings for the ring road. Tim is active in politics being a board member for both federal and provincial constituency associations.

Tim explained that the "agreement" with the province called for a swap of land, 5,000 acres for 1,000 acres given up by the nation; and, in addition, a cash payment of $275 million (yes, million!) and proper access to the new roadway. A pretty sweet deal for the nation. Except (in fine print) the 5,000 acres are not available.

The crown land is leased for grazing rights and the province would have to make "reasonable efforts" to acquire the land from the lessees. Nor can the province promise mineral rights on the land since that was federal jurisdiction and the feds were staying away from this deal like it was the H1N1 plague.

There was doubt whether the Federal Dept. of Justice would even permit an agreement like that as it may not be an enforceable contract.

In the Q&A Tim allowed that, as of now, there is "nothing on the table" between the province and the nation. It was an unfortunate situation since it was a "helluva" deal for the nation. The chief and council were in favour but the nation's members rejected it because it wasn't properly explained and they simply didn't trust that the politicians would keep their side of the bargain.

The city and province are now proceeding on an alternate route for the ring road which will not involve nation lands. In the meantime, it was noted that Calgarians in the SW part of the city can only watch with envy the high speed ring road around the other three-quarters of the city without even one traffic light.

Tim was thanked by Grant Ritchie and presented with a Boltman.

Read his essay Mayor's Musings, and read the Calgary Sun article

reported by Bill Tapuska