FROM THE ARCHIVE

Supreme Court hears rent dispute

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JUNE 13, 2000

The Supreme Court will rule on the Musqueam First Nation's rent increase for non-Native homeowners on its reserve in south Vancouver. The Musqueam proposed an increase in rent for the homeowners from $400 a year to $28,000 but the homeowners say that is too much.

The Musqueam won support for its increase from the Federal Court of Appeals, which said First Nations land should be valued the same as off-reserve land.

Leases signed in 1965 said the Musquem could charge rent based on 6% of the value of the land. But the rent was locked in for 30 years at $400 a year, while values of non-Native land in Vancouver skyrocketed.

The Musqueam in 1995 were able to increase the rent but could not come to an agreement on the exact value so the the Federal Court in 1997 said the rent could be $10,000. But the Appeal Court raised it to $28,000 after the Musqueam appealed.

The homeowners, who do not own the land, want the $10,000 rent reinstated. Meanwhile, the Musqueam are asking for an increase to $36,000.

Get the Story:
Supreme Court to determine value of native land (The National Post 6/13)
Musqueam lease fight (CBC 6/13)