Another delay in brownfield cleanup

November 17 2008

Posted By TIM PHILP Brantford Expositor

Brownfields have been on the city agenda for most of the past 10 years or so. The only other issue that has had as much press and public comment is downtown revitalization -- an issue for the past 30 years.

While the city has been a leader in facing the challenges of brownfields, primarily due to the efforts of Ward 5 Coun. Marguerite Ceschi-Smith, council is finding it difficult to continue due to problems dealing with the senior levels of government. Interestingly, both levels of government are stalling for exactly the same reason: land claims.

The provincial government has been stalling on approving the city's official plan. This document details the kinds of development that are allowed on lands within the city. Until recently, the city would work hard on an official plan, submit it to the province, and receive approval within a reasonable timeframe.

Certainly, the province could ask for changes, but the process was reasonably speedy. That is, until the most recent official plan was submitted.

Brantford has been waiting for months for provincial approval of its plan because a recent court decision requires the province to 'consult' with natives on development matters. It makes no difference that the city embarked upon a similar consultation with Six Nations before the plan was submitted.

It is unclear what, exactly, is meant by 'consultation' as the courts made it clear that consultation does not mean a veto by native interests. It certainly means more than a perfunctory hearing and swift approval of the city's plans, but beyond that is dark and murky territory.

Consultation is a very good thing. However, for Brantford, this could not have come at a worse time. Hanging in the balance is an agreement with the federal government to supply $12 million for the cleanup and redevelopment of the Greenwich/Mohawk industrial complex.

Unlike the money given to the city by the province, the federal grant has strings attached that require shovels to be in the ground before the money can flow. There is also a time limit on the agreement that is quickly ticking away. Unfortunately, the city cannot get shovels in the ground until zoning changes for the site are approved as part of the official plan.

Brant MPP Dave Levac says he is working hard to get the plan approved and expects to hear something early in the new year. The question remains whether or not the time limits on the federal grant will expire before the approvals are given.

In the meantime, the city is forging ahead with plans for public consultation and selection of consultants and developers to be ready when the approval is given.

That brings me to the federal government. The issue that nobody seems to be talking about is the relationship of land claims to brownfield redevelopment. Right now, nobody wants the Greenwich/Mohawk site in its present polluted condition. You can bet your next paycheque that when the land is cleaned up and redevelopment is about to start, there will be a native protest about land claims at this site.

It is certainly not a great stretch to predict that this will happen, since natives have been protesting development at greenfield sites for the past few years.

Development in Brantford has been stalled for the past two years. We will start to feel the effects over the next couple of years as planned developments go a bit farther down the 403 to Woodstock or London, bypassing the problems in Brantford altogether. This will lead to higher taxes and lost economic activity in Brantford, indeed, all of Brant County will feel the pinch.

Newly minted Brant MP Phil Mc- Coleman has stated clearly that he will make settlement of the land claims a priority. This is a bold campaign promise for a rookie to make and it remains to be seen if he will make good on this promise. The future of development in Brantford depends upon his ability to deliver the goods.

One thing is certain: unless the federal government fixes this problem, we are in for years of economic problems here in Brantford. Without an agreement on land claims, developers will not touch Brantford with a 3.048 metre pole.

Tim Philp is a political observer in Brantford.

Article ID# 1299514