Sure look like a single non Canadian entity has take next to complete control of 960 acres(or more) of strategic property on the 49th parallell. They are still moving to finish the takeover.
All that will be left will be Corus Land Holding Corp and the friendly CNR rail beds; inland terminal(s); and Corus Land Holding Corp's choosing of companies owned at least 10% by that Corporation. Expect about as much input into any development as has been shown by public involvement in the last 6 months; and the last month when the municicipal council signed the agreement.
No wonder Canada is so attractive to foreign developers. Canadians apparently don't ask to be consulted in any way when someone wants to move in and completely take over.
Here's about all the background that is publically available. Not one news headline; and not one sniff of any detail willingly provided by our local governments. The move to full control has been planned and implemented under controlled circumstances. But it has been facilitated; and the deal is truly done; whatever it is.
The agreement between the RM Enniskillen and Corus Land Holding Corp. has been released and concludes with "the balance of this page is intentionally left blank". The final page is unnumbered and the seal and signature of Corus Land Holding Corp is not affixed; although dated in the hands of the purchaser on Jan. 12/2012.
Apparently the ratepayers will receive $120,000 (or less depending on lots we may not own); but it is for about 60 acres of "townsite" lots. Council will use its best efforts to close all road allowances, strrets and lanes; other than Boundary Street; and convey title.
The RM shall convey clear title to the 60 acres.
Looks to me that the ratepayers sold out for about $2,000 per acre. Private owners are now receiving $5,000 to 30,000 per lot or about $35,000 to $210,000 per acre. That more than a slight difference. Further we are "conveying clear title to the property"; offering up the substantial streets,lanes and road allowances; and "acknowledging that its development plans will require certain future approvals from the RM.
Get that rubber stamp out.
Further consider that there is no way this wholesale tansfer will even pay for the council authorized demolition of five private houses council is demolishing at the ratepayers expense. This refers to a council motion recently passed to clean up five private properties flooded elsewhere in the RM last spring. Little public discussion about that move either.
As for the land previously owned by the municipality in Northgate; if only we new the administrative time costs; land titles searches; legal advice costs; value of "Her Majesties property"; land title transfers on hundreds of lots; council time; document preparations for transfer of hundreds of lots; council expenses associated with this deal; we might be suprised how really cheap we were sold out.
The intent of the development has now been described as " an intention to construct a grain handling facility and possibly other facilities on the Property and on the Purchaser's adjacent lands"
Remember that the Farm Land Security Board was savy enough to at least put some time limits on getting those proposed facilities built. One would have thought it prudent to at least copy the Farm Land Security Board conditions into the RM sale agreement. But not so.
Sure looks to me like the townsite of Northgate was forever transferred into foreign hands with no chance of any part of it ever being returned to any use other than what the non-Canadian entity decides. There are still a few privately held lots; and it is to be hoped that those persons do not rely on the RM sale prices as anywhere close to the actual market value of their property.
All that will be left will be Corus Land Holding Corp and the friendly CNR rail beds; inland terminal(s); and Corus Land Holding Corp's choosing of companies owned at least 10% by that Corporation. Expect about as much input into any development as has been shown by public involvement in the last 6 months; and the last month when the municicipal council signed the agreement.
No wonder Canada is so attractive to foreign developers. Canadians apparently don't ask to be consulted in any way when someone wants to move in and completely take over.
Here's about all the background that is publically available. Not one news headline; and not one sniff of any detail willingly provided by our local governments. The move to full control has been planned and implemented under controlled circumstances. But it has been facilitated; and the deal is truly done; whatever it is.
The agreement between the RM Enniskillen and Corus Land Holding Corp. has been released and concludes with "the balance of this page is intentionally left blank". The final page is unnumbered and the seal and signature of Corus Land Holding Corp is not affixed; although dated in the hands of the purchaser on Jan. 12/2012.
Apparently the ratepayers will receive $120,000 (or less depending on lots we may not own); but it is for about 60 acres of "townsite" lots. Council will use its best efforts to close all road allowances, strrets and lanes; other than Boundary Street; and convey title.
The RM shall convey clear title to the 60 acres.
Looks to me that the ratepayers sold out for about $2,000 per acre. Private owners are now receiving $5,000 to 30,000 per lot or about $35,000 to $210,000 per acre. That more than a slight difference. Further we are "conveying clear title to the property"; offering up the substantial streets,lanes and road allowances; and "acknowledging that its development plans will require certain future approvals from the RM.
Get that rubber stamp out.
Further consider that there is no way this wholesale tansfer will even pay for the council authorized demolition of five private houses council is demolishing at the ratepayers expense. This refers to a council motion recently passed to clean up five private properties flooded elsewhere in the RM last spring. Little public discussion about that move either.
As for the land previously owned by the municipality in Northgate; if only we new the administrative time costs; land titles searches; legal advice costs; value of "Her Majesties property"; land title transfers on hundreds of lots; council time; document preparations for transfer of hundreds of lots; council expenses associated with this deal; we might be suprised how really cheap we were sold out.
The intent of the development has now been described as " an intention to construct a grain handling facility and possibly other facilities on the Property and on the Purchaser's adjacent lands"
Remember that the Farm Land Security Board was savy enough to at least put some time limits on getting those proposed facilities built. One would have thought it prudent to at least copy the Farm Land Security Board conditions into the RM sale agreement. But not so.
Sure looks to me like the townsite of Northgate was forever transferred into foreign hands with no chance of any part of it ever being returned to any use other than what the non-Canadian entity decides. There are still a few privately held lots; and it is to be hoped that those persons do not rely on the RM sale prices as anywhere close to the actual market value of their property.
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