Fact Sheet -
Camp Ipperwash Negotiations

Background

• The Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation initially had two of the reserves that had been confirmed by the Treaty of 1827: one at Kettle Point and one at Stony Point. In 1928, the First Nation surrendered for sale approximately 377 acres of the Stony Point Reserve. The land was subsequently sold to private interests. The remainder of the Stony Point Reserve, approximately 2,211 acres, was appropriated under the War Measures Act in 1942 for the establishment of an advanced military training facility, which became known as Camp Ipperwash. The Camp is located next to Ipperwash Provincial Park, which has been owned by the Province of Ontario since 1936 (see the attached map).
  
  
• The First Nation received approximately $50,000 in compensation for the appropriation, which involved the relocation of about 15 families.
  
  
• The First Nation has sought the return of the Camp Ipperwash lands since the end of World War II. A 1981 Order in Council committed the government to return the lands when no longer needed for military purposes, though it did not include a commitment to decontaminate the lands or to guarantee risk-free access.
  
  
• Also in 1981, Canada reached an agreement with the First Nation, which provided compensation in the amount of $2.5 million for the underestimated value of the land and interest accrued since the date of the 1942 appropriation.
  
  
• In the February 1994 budget, Canada announced the closing of the base and that it would enter into negotiations with the First Nation regarding the property. Military personnel withdrew from the base on July 29, 1995.

Recent Negotiations

• In addition to reaching agreement on advance compensation for seniors who were most directly affected by the 1942 appropriation, Canada and the First Nation signed an Investigation Agreement (IA) regarding the former Camp Ipperwash lands in May 2004. The IA sets out a joint process to investigate the land for unexploded ordnance (UXO) and environmental contamination. It is necessary to conduct such an assessment because the lands were used for military purposes for 50 years and may contain UXO and environmental contamination.
  
  
• The IA does not deal with the issue of any clean-up of the site or its return to reserve status. Canada and the First Nation have agreed to pursue an incremental approach in their negotiations in order to continue the work toward a final settlement, beginning with the investigation. The first stage is to determine the condition of the land pursuant to the IA. An independent consulting firm selected jointly through a public tender process was hired in November 2005. The investigation of the land could take up to 3 years to complete. It will be conducted in a manner that respects cultural resource issues at the former Camp, and that will best protect the environment and the health and safety of all concerned.
  
  
• In stage two, the parties will review the results of the investigation and discuss the options.
  
  
• While the investigation is ongoing, the parties will continue to work together at the negotiating table toward a final settlement to resolve the outstanding issues regarding the Camp.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did these negotiations begin?

While preliminary discussions began in July 1994, Canada and the First Nation have been working together through formal negotiations since 1996 to try to resolve the outstanding issues regarding the Camp.

When will a final settlement be reached?

This is a complex situation that takes time, effort and cooperation on the part of all parties to resolve, but as demonstrated by the agreement on advance seniors' compensation and the signing of the IA, progress is being made in the negotiations. These agreements are key steps toward a final settlement that can be reasonably and safely implemented.

The investigation of the Camp Ipperwash lands could take up to three years to complete. Then the parties will need to review the findings and discuss options on how to proceed.

Why is an investigation of the lands necessary?

An environmental and UXO investigation of the Camp Ipperwash lands is necessary because the area was used for military purposes for 50 years and may contain UXO. Safety and any environmental concerns associated with the site must also be taken into account before the future use of the land can be determined.

What about Ipperwash Provincial Park?

The federal government is working through negotiations with the First Nation to address issues that fall within its jurisdiction: the Camp Ipperwash lands. While Ipperwash Provincial Park is adjacent to Camp Ipperwash (see the map below), it is not part of the negotiations between Canada and the First Nation. Ipperwash Provincial Park is under provincial jurisdiction. While the land that became Ipperwash Provincial Park once formed part of the Stony Point Reserve, it was surrendered for sale by the First Nation in 1928 and then purchased by the Province of Ontario in 1936. Canada would support any discussions between the province and the First Nation regarding the Park.

Who is responsible for law enforcement in the area?

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), under the jurisdiction of the province, is responsible for law enforcement at Ipperwash Provincial Park, Camp Ipperwash and the surrounding area, as it is normally for all of Ontario.

What is the overall goal of the negotiations?

The goal of the negotiations is to resolve outstanding issues surrounding Camp Ipperwash. A final settlement will assist the First Nation in rebuilding a strong and economically viable community and in continuing the process of healing and reconciliation. Canada is also committed to ensure that public safety and environmental concerns are properly addressed in determining a future strategy for the former Camp Ipperwash lands.

Canada firmly believes that negotiated solutions will resolve the very important and complex issues raised through these negotiations. Negotiated agreements resolve longstanding issues in a mutually acceptable manner and build new partnerships that all parties can benefit from in the future.

For information on the First Nation's perspectives on these and other
issues, interested parties can visit the Kettle & Stony Point First Nation
Web site.

Information about the public inquiry called by the province into the 1995 shooting death of Anthony (Dudley) George at Ipperwash Provincial Park, is available on the Inquiry's Web site at the Ipperwash Inquiry

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