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ca

MEDIA RELEASE
March 8, 2018

K’ÓMOKS FIRST NATION OPPOSES

THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF WATER EXTRACT IN MERVILLE
In a time of reconciliation with First Nations, the BC government gets it wrong again

(Comox Valley, BC) The K’ómoks First Nation (KFN) is disappointed but not
surprised to hear of the recent approval of a conditional groundwater license for water
extraction for profit in the area of Sackville Road in Merville.

The issued permit by the province of BC came as a major disappointment to the Nation
considering the applicants MacKenzie/Heynck presented an application for a
groundwater license to KFN Chief and Council on June 26, 2017, which was then
denied. The Province did not follow proper consultation procedure to consult directly
with KFN Chief and Council at a Council meeting on the recent approval.

“It is an insult to our Nation and people,” stated Chief Nicole Rempel. “We were very
clear with the applicants that at this time, we could not support their application because
we are currently in a treaty process and negotiating for allocations of groundwater
ourselves. Further to that, the indefinite length of term of the license, as well as the
amount is of great concern. This is unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First
Nation, and we adamantly oppose this licence issuance. KFN has watched as the
resources in our territory have been stripped away and shipped away for far too long. In
a time where both the Prime Minister and BC Premier have given mandates to their staff
to uphold and honour the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
People, it is quite angering to have to continue the struggle for the rights of our people.
The province needs to smarten up, negotiate in good faith and in accordance with the
UNDRIP and stop giving out tenures while in current treaty negotiations. I intend to raise
this issue to Minister Doug Donaldson.”

It was also added by Mark Stevenson, KFN’s Chief Negotiator for Treaty that, “the
province has failed to meaningfully consult with the Nation. We are extremely
disappointed with the failure of the province’s inability to seek K’omoks’ free, prior and
informed consent. They have also failed to live up to their own legal requirements as
well as the requirements under the UNDRIP.”

Not only is the Nation currently in negotiations with the province for rights to
groundwater, but the license approval raises serious aquifer and environmental impact
concerns to the area.