[hexrae]

Speaking of which...

Activists protest delay over Kapyong housing

By: Mary Agnes Welch

20/11/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 16

The vacant houses at Kapyong barracks sparked a war of words Thursday, and today they'll prompt a protest in front of Treasury Board president Vic Toews' office.

"They are a glaring example of the federal government's inaction on housing," said Ellen Kruger, spokesperson for the Right to Housing Coalition. "It's shameful."

Well over 100 homes, known as the permanent married quarters or PMQs, have stood empty for five years, ever since soldiers vacated the base on Kenaston Boulevard. Housing advocates have long demanded the homes be rented out to needy families instead of being left to deteriorate, mired in bureaucratic delays and now caught up in a First Nations land claim.

Toews, who has argued First Nations have no claim on Kapyong, said in an email statement Thursday that a court challenge launched by seven First Nations effectively bars Ottawa from taking action on the houses.

"The Government of Canada cannot act in a manner that is inconsistent with the decision that is under appeal," said Toews.

And he said it's the First Nations who are holding up a plan to make use of the vacant houses.

"As for whether the government of Canada can provide the housing to the First Nations claimants, by moving it off the site, we have asked the First Nations to agree to that, and to provide the housing to them free of charge if they paid the moving costs. They have refused to amend their claim to allow that to occur," wrote Toews.

Winnipeg South Centre Liberal MP Anita Neville said the issue calls for cool-headed negotiation instead of inflammatory language. Housing advocates agreed, and lawyer Norm Boudreau, who acts for the bands, said Toews' arguments are bunk.

In late September, a federal court judge ruled that Ottawa had failed to properly consult with First Nations and had to do so before selling Kapyong. Ottawa recently appealed that ruling, further delaying progress on Kapyong, said Boudreau.

The ruling only applies to the working part of the base -- the warehouses and drill halls and offices. The houses haven't started to move through Ottawa's long surplus land disposal process, which would trigger consultations. So, Ottawa can do anything it likes with the homes, including renting them out, said Boudreau.

Peguis Chief Glenn Hudson, whose band is one of the seven First Nations claiming Kapyong, said the issue of moving the homes is a red herring. The bands don't want the homes to be moved onto reserves -- it's too costly. Instead, they want to help develop Kapyong.

"We're looking for the best opportunity for all Winnipeggers and for our people," said Hudson.

Frustrated with the morass, housing advocates are staging another picket today at 3 p.m. on Kenaston. And, they're heading to Toews constituency office in Steinbach in hopes of meeting with him.

The coalition estimates the houses have cost taxpayers $7.5 million the since they were left vacant, including maintenance and lost rent.

maryagnes.welch@freepress.mb.ca