Notice to Kanawaki Lot Holders regarding Lease

09/10/2021

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to advise lot holders of Kanawaki Golf Club lands regarding important developments on the Lease Agreement negotiations. Since Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is responsible for the administration of the lease, it is in the process of mailing letters to the affected lot holders explaining these developments.

As per the lease, Kanawaki has opted to renew for an additional 25-year term, for the period extending from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2046. As the community is aware, this will be the final extension of the lease. ISC and the mandated representatives of the MCK have negotiated an agreement in principle on the lease renewal and in regard to the lease amount. The next step in this process is a consultation with the lot holders before formally accepting or rejecting the proposed rent.

In order to meet the requirements of the agreement, ISC has scheduled a videoconference via Microsoft Teams with all available affected lot holders to ensure the communication of all necessary information. There will be an opportunity for lot holders to ask questions during the meeting and direct any concerns that they may have. This meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 7 pm.

The date of October 8, 2021 has been set as the deadline to voice any concerns to the proposed agreement in principle. Following this consultation period, if the negotiated amount is not acceptable, the rental amount will have to be decided via arbitration. That being said, once arbitration is triggered there is no guarantee that ISC will be able to obtain a rental amount equal to or greater than the negotiated lease amount. The final decision would be in the hands of the independent arbitrators.

Affected lot holders may reach out to ISC representative Stephane Viale by telephone during regular working hours, via email, or by mail in order to obtain information or voice any concerns in regards to the proposed agreement in principle at the following coordinates:

Phone: 418-446-8776;

E-mail: aadnc.qcterresqclands.aandc@canada.ca; Mail: C/O Stéphane Viale, Indigenous Services Canada, CSQ Building 400-320, Saint-Joseph East Street Quebec (Quebec) G1K 9J2

All other community members may reach out to the MCK, via Ratsénhaienhs (Elected Chief) Cody Diabo, who will be representing the interests of the common and the underlying communal interests in the land. Anyone with questions is asked to contact Ratsénhaienhs Cody Diabo at the MCK (450-632-7500 or cody.diabo@mck.ca).