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hae LE ES hy FP DEC ty ry
THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF BURNABY

4949 CANADA Way,
BURNABY 2. B.C.

TELEPHONE 299.7211

December 5,

Mr. R. A. Freeman ‘ : 9
City Clerk FILE: 2027A
The City of Port Coquitlam

2272 McAllister Avenue

Port Coquitlam, B. C.

Dear Str:
RE: George Derby Health and Occupational Centre

The above facility, which Is focated In Burnaby, was deve toped
by the Federal Government in the mid-1940's as a rehabitItation centre
for veterans of both the First and Second World Wars.

In recent years, the development has been combined with the
Shaughnessy Hospital Complex in Vancouver and consideration has been
given the matter of phasing out the George Derby facility.

A delegation from the Burnaby Councit attended upon the
Minister of Veterans Affairs in Ottawa on October 24, 1973, to urge
that the land occupied by the George Derby facility be returned to the..
Municipality, as was promised years ago.

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it has been understood by Counc!! over the past few months that
negotiations were taking place between the Federal Government and the
Provincial Government to effect a transfer of the George Derby lands
_to the Provincial Government.

The Councl! recefived a fetter from the Minister of Veterans
Affairs on November 19, 1973 indicating that, because of the negotiations
mentioned, no consideration would be given our request that the land

revert to the MuniclIpaltty.

This advice caused Counci! considerable concern and subsequently
resulted tn an organization known as the Derby Land 1s Our Land Assoclation
being formed In an attempt to prevent the Federal Government transferring
the land to the Provincia! Government.

The Counct| recetved a Brief on December 3rd from the Assoclation
urging that Immediate action be taken by the Corporation to sue the
Government of Canada to enforce the Municipality's contractual rights
In connection with the subject site.

-» Continued