National Defence Announces Next Steps for Land Divestment in Sainte-Foy, Québec City
News release
May 30, 2023 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Today, the Department of National Defence (DND) announced the next steps for the divestment of the former military housing site in the Sainte-Foy area of Québec City. This announcement follows a multi-year engagement process with First Nations in the spirit of reconciliation, and other interested parties, in order to guide our decision.
In October 2020, DND sold, a 0.29-hectare plot of the land to the City of Québec for the widening of Hochelaga Boulevard. DND also plans to sell 0.98 hectare to the Québec Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and negotiations are underway to complete this transaction.
DND announced today that the remaining 10.98 hectares of land will be divided into two parcels and offered for sale to the Huron-Wendat Nation and the Innu of Pekuakamiulnuatsh, Pessamit, and Essipit First Nations. Approximately 80 percent will be offered for sale to the Huron-Wendat Nation, and approximately 20 percent for sale to the Innu of Pekuakamiulnuatsh, Pessamit, and Essipit First Nations.
We have invited the First Nations to discuss how the two parcels of land may be divided. We expect discussions on the exact division of the land to begin in summer 2023. It is anticipated that DND will make final offers to sell the land to the First Nations at the end of 2023. In the meantime, discussions will continue between all interested parties on these plans, which will help us reach final agreements that provide the greatest benefit to all community members.
DND is committed to effectively managing its infrastructure portfolio, including transferring or selling properties we no longer require, in consultation with communities across Canada. The Government of Canada, and DND, are steadfast in our commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
As part of this process, DND has been engaging with First Nations communities directly on the future of the Sainte-Foy lands and what that future will mean for Indigenous peoples. This decision reflects our commitment to promote reconciliation with First Nations and to bolster their economic autonomy.
Quotes
“As we manage Defence properties across Canada, we are deeply committed to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Today’s announcement will provide considerable development opportunities for First Nations communities in the Québec region. We will continue to walk the path of reconciliation together, and work to advance economic prosperity together.”
The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence
“We applaud the work of the City of Québec and its citizens, the Huron-Wendat Nation and the Innu First Nations in this important step towards reconciliation. We hope that the discussions that follow and the projects proposed will bring benefits to the Québec City region.”
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, and Member of Parliament for Québec, Quebec
Quick facts
-
In 2016, DND consolidated military housing in the Valcartier area. As a result, the former Sainte-Foy military housing site was vacated in 2017.
-
DND kept 2.06 hectares of the original 14.32-hectare site for the construction of the new Sainte-Foy armoury, which opened in 2018.
-
About 0.29 hectare of land was sold to the City of Québec in 2020 to support its roadwork along Boulevard Hochelaga. The city’s work improved traffic flow and public transportation, making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
DND will also sell 0.98 hectare of land to the Québec Ministry of Education and Higher Education so it can build an English high school. The transfer to the province is expected in the coming months.
-
This approach to divesting our remaining Sainte-Foy land will allow us to meet, as closely as possible, the Huron-Wendat Nation’s request to acquire the property (by offering to sell approximately 80 percent to the First Nation), as well as the Innu Nations’ request to acquire approximately 20 percent of the site.
-
In the event the First Nations do not reach an agreement within 60 business days, we will contract an urban planning expert to propose the exact division of the land for sale to the two groups.
Associated links
Contacts
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
Page details
- Date modified: