Three First Nations—Katzie, Kwantlen, and Semiahmoo—are calling on the Canadian government to transfer a 300-acre property in the Campbell Heights North area of Surrey. The government-owned land is currently used for agriculture, including producing a significant portion of BC’s potatoes.
The future of this property has been a point of contention since 2017 when the federal government announced plans to sell it. Recently, the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) decided against including the property in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
The First Nations have now formally requested the land’s return, emphasizing its significance to their heritage and their right to decide its future use. They view this transfer as a step towards economic reconciliation, aiming to regain control over their resources and land.
Heppell’s Potatoes Corporation, which leases the land from the federal government, opposes its sale and supports its inclusion in the ALR. The company’s stance is backed by a petition with nearly 83,000 signatures.
The industrial-zoned land can also be considered for development, fitting into Metro Vancouver’s broader plans amid a shortage of industrial space. This situation highlights the ongoing conflict between agricultural preservation and industrial expansion in the region.
