NSToTREAW NECOTNTIONS

SEpTeMBER 29,2003

FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY

CANADA'S RESPONSE TO
NStQ LAND SHARING OFFER SEPTEMBER

WTnoUT PREJUDIcE

2OO3

Canada would like to thank NStQ for the time and effort that has gone into this
land presentation. NSIQ has identified 544,958 ha of land to be designated as
NSIQ Lands. Another 761,448 ha has been identified as requiring special
management where NSIQ wishes to be directly involved in decision-making. The
identification of these land areas tells the Parties wltich lands are important to
NSIQ and creates a good basis for selecting treaty lands.

Canada presented its interests in land to NSIQ in the past, and also expressed,
in the scoping exercise, its view of what might constitute, from Canada's
perspective, a starting point for negotiations. The current land proposal is an
increase from the land base proposed by the Natural Resources Technical
Working Group, whereas we had anticipated further focusing.

All Parties are aware that progress in land negotiations by December 2003 is
critical if B.C. is to commit additional resources to the table. In light of this
timeline, Canada intends to be direct about what actions must be taken to move
the negotiations forward. lt is necessary that NSIQ further refine their land
selection and focus on top priority parcels for ownership. The land package must
be comparable to other agreements, taking into consideration the value of the
land and the population. lt must respect the interests of all Parties and also be
acceptable to people living in the area. NSIQ should also consider what they
prefer with respect to a land/cash balance. Canada is willing to cost-share land
statusing with B.C. once NSIQ has identified a land package of approximately
100,000 hectares. Since the land statusing process is lengthly, an early start
would be advantageous. Should the Chief Negotiators consider it necessary,
more land may be statused at a later time.
Canada would like more specific details from NSIQ on "Special Management
Areas" and joint decision-making with B.C. on land and resources. Canada would
like to encourage NSIQ to pursue creative options for meeting their interests in
land in addition to obtaining treaty lands. Some of those options may be more
suitable than ownership and some may be outside treaty. Exploration of these
options, and their applicability to specific land parcels, can be carried out by the
NSIQ or by the Working Group. Canada is not interested in creating and funding
new bodies for management purposes.

Canada acknowledges that land is critical to the success of AIP negotiations. We

are pleased with NStQ's commitment to this process and we are encouraged by
the increased productivity in the negotiations. We look forward to proceeding
with the exploration of NSIQ interests on the topic of land.
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