The Highway 11 Right of Way
“I don’t believe that anyone at that time could have imagined the extent of the prosperity this highway would and has created in this districtover the past four decades.” - Northern Development and Mines minister Michael Gravelle
“I don’t believe that anyone at that time could have imagined the extent of the prosperity this highway would and has created in this districtover the past four decades.” - Northern Development and Mines minister Michael Gravelle
from the “We Will Not Be Ignored” Couchiching Brochure
Highway 11 which runs through Couchiching reserve is a source of economic prosperity for Northwestern Ontario and the Rainy River District. But the economic prosperity from Highway 11 comes at Couchiching First Nations' expense.
To compensate Couchiching First Nation for the land used for the highway right of way, the provincial government and INAC negotiated to transfer what is known as the “two-chain shore allowance” to the reserve. The 44.5 acres of two-chain land would be transferred in exchange for 33.9 acres of land to be used for the highway erroneously by the surveyor E.C. Caddy in 1876. Caddy was commissioned to survey the neighbouring Agency #1 reserve, but continued along the shoreline through what is now known as Couchiching reserve. The survey, and eventual land transfer of the two chain property to the provincial government was never supposed to take place. Furthermore, of the 44.5 acres of two chain shore allowance surveyed by Caddy in 1876, only 9 acres** of actual land exists today due to flooding from a local dam constructed in the early 1900‘s. The government knowingly attempted to transfer flooded lands they never owned to Couchiching First Nation as compensation for a highway right of way.
The highway generated billions of dollars of economic activity in the region. Recognizing their mistake, the Federal and Provincial government recently offered compensation. If the 33.9 acres acquired for the highway were instead land designated for parking in downtown Toronto, the sum offered by the government would not be a sufficient amount for yearly parking fees. The offer was viewed as an insult to Couchiching leadership.
So while the Highway 11 right of way has economically benefitted the region, Couchiching has been excluded and exploited in the process.
Highway 11 which runs through Couchiching reserve is a source of economic prosperity for Northwestern Ontario and the Rainy River District. But the economic prosperity from Highway 11 comes at Couchiching First Nations' expense.
To compensate Couchiching First Nation for the land used for the highway right of way, the provincial government and INAC negotiated to transfer what is known as the “two-chain shore allowance” to the reserve. The 44.5 acres of two-chain land would be transferred in exchange for 33.9 acres of land to be used for the highway erroneously by the surveyor E.C. Caddy in 1876. Caddy was commissioned to survey the neighbouring Agency #1 reserve, but continued along the shoreline through what is now known as Couchiching reserve. The survey, and eventual land transfer of the two chain property to the provincial government was never supposed to take place. Furthermore, of the 44.5 acres of two chain shore allowance surveyed by Caddy in 1876, only 9 acres** of actual land exists today due to flooding from a local dam constructed in the early 1900‘s. The government knowingly attempted to transfer flooded lands they never owned to Couchiching First Nation as compensation for a highway right of way.
The highway generated billions of dollars of economic activity in the region. Recognizing their mistake, the Federal and Provincial government recently offered compensation. If the 33.9 acres acquired for the highway were instead land designated for parking in downtown Toronto, the sum offered by the government would not be a sufficient amount for yearly parking fees. The offer was viewed as an insult to Couchiching leadership.
So while the Highway 11 right of way has economically benefitted the region, Couchiching has been excluded and exploited in the process.
Toll Booth Initiative Website
The Couchiching Toll Booth Initiative website TollBoothInitiative.com is your most trusted source for information relating to the Couching Toll Booth Initiative. The Couchiching Toll Both Initiative began operation May 21st, 2010.
The Couchiching Toll Booth Initiative website TollBoothInitiative.com is your most trusted source for information relating to the Couching Toll Booth Initiative. The Couchiching Toll Both Initiative began operation May 21st, 2010.