City and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation sign new Urban Reserve Agreements
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and the City of Saskatoon celebrated a special signing ceremony today in Council Chamber. During the ceremony the Municipal Services and Compatibility Agreement, and the corresponding Police Services Agreement, were signed by Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Peter Beatty, along with Council of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Chair, Shirley Greyeyes. The agreements pave the way for the Nation’s land located at 1623-1625 Quebec Avenue to be designated as an urban reserve by the federal government.
At its regularly scheduled meeting on September 25, 2024, City Council approved the Municipal Services and Compatibility Agreement negotiated with Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners also approved the Police Services Agreement at their regularly scheduled meeting on September 19, 2024. These agreements fulfill the municipal requirements for urban reserve designation. Due to the 2024 municipal election the signing ceremony was delayed until today.
"This signing ceremony is the culmination of many people’s efforts and dedication to economic Reconciliation in our community, including our partners at Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and our former and current Mayor and Councils. The City of Saskatoon’s approach to economic growth is rooted in collaboration with Indigenous leadership," said Mayor Cynthia Block. "I’m proud of the work we’ve done to create opportunities for Indigenous communities, including supporting the establishment of 12 urban reserves - more than any other city in Canada. Reconciliation must be more than words. We need to move forward side-by-side with mutual benefit, as the Treaties intended.”
"I look forward to seeing our partners at Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation continue to grow and thrive in our city."
This marks the 12th urban reserve application in Saskatoon, with eight urban reserves having been formally designated by the federal government. Decisions on reserve designation are made by the federal government. When a property transfers to reserve status, it is no longer under City jurisdiction.
The municipal and police services agreements address:
- municipal and police services the City will provide;
- service fees Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation will pay the City in lieu of property taxes; and,
- compatible land-use and development standards.
“We look forward to this partnership with the City of Saskatoon. This assists us in continuing to grow and adds to our other seven businesses that are already established in Saskatoon and area through Peter Ballantyne Group of Companies and its partners,” says Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Peter A. Beatty
“Our development as a First Nation is tied to Economic Development activities as one of the success factors. The creation of an urban reserve in Saskatchewan’s largest city and economic centre will assist PBCN in achieving those goals and only makes sense to do this. We look at this as a win-win scenario for PBCN and the City. It benefits all by establishing more jobs and employment opportunities in the local area as well as creating more revenue for the local economy.
We would like to thank the former Mayor Charlie Clark and Council for starting this process as well as the current Mayor Cynthia Block and Council members for continuing to invest in the future of the City and PBCN.”
For more information on urban reserves, please visit saskatoon.ca/urbanreserves.