(September 19, 2025) Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) purchased a property in Invermere, in the Columbia Valley in January of this year for more than 100% over the assessed value. This follows other property purchases by MNBC in the northeast part of the province where they paid anywhere from 31.5% to 78% above assessed values.
The property is located at 1102 – 13th street in Invermere and the assessed value in July 2024 was $778,000, but on January 30th this year it was purchased for $1.6 million. The information comes from the BC Assessment website.
MNBC and the Columbia Valley Métis Community (with a relatively small Métis population compared to places like Cranbrook) are proposing to build a three story apartment building with up to 41 housing units on the 1.2 acre site. The site, in the middle of a low-density residential zone currently has a single house on it that was built in 1963. According to reports, the municipality has approved a development permit for the proposed project. The estimated cost of building such a project has not been revealed by MNBC, but in comparison to other similar projects it could easily be $8 million or more.
The President of Red River Métis British Columbia Clara Morin DalCol says, “Who is negotiating these land purchases, and where are the Board minutes showing Board approval?”
She says, “It is absolutely outrageous for MNBC to be consistently paying way above assessed values for such properties. Where is the accountability on the part of the MNBC Board? Given these numbers, it’s no wonder that MNBC reveals so little about these land purchases and we have to find out about them through other sources.”
Ms. Morin DalCol says, “Other Métis communities in the Kootenays have far greater needs for such a multi-million dollar housing project, but yet it is being planned for a community with one of the smaller Métis populations in the region.” She asks, “Now why would that be? Maybe the Regional Director can explain that and also tell us why they paid more than 100% over the assessed value.”
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