Trent Lakes council voted not to sell an unopened road allowance to the Kawartha Nishnawbe and that it be sold to a couple who own abutting land.
Applicants Jonathan Seffelaar and Linda Post had applied to purchase the unopened road allowance between Concession 1, Lots 5 and 6 in Harvey Ward in the municipality. Council deferred the request in May 2024 until there was consultation with the Kawartha Nishnawbe Council.
When staff circulated the proposal to the Kawartha Nishnawabe they advised Trent Lakes that they are committed to secure any land that becomes available to them regardless of its size or zoning as part of reconciliation efforts so they did not support the sale to the applicants.
Jessie Clark, Director of Corporate Services/Clerk for the municipality said that the First Nation has indicated that this land is part of their ancestral territory which is why they object to the land being sold to Seffelaar and Post.
Deputy Mayor Carol Armstrong said that in essence the Kawartha Nishnawbe are suggesting they have a first right to property because it is in their treaty area.
“All of Trent Lakes is in their treaty area,” Armstrong said. “This would set a precedent that may not be realistic or legal.”
She said she supported the municipality going ahead with the sale to Seffelaar and Post and her motion to do that was passed.
