May 23, 2006

Re: Bear Mountain/ First Nations

Dear Mr. Kennedy

I am the Project Developer for Westin Bear Mountain Victoria Golf Resort and Spa and have been asked to respond to your email enquiry of May 16 2006.

I will tell you that I am disgusted with the Vancouver Sun and their irresponsible, non factual and sensationalistic reporting involving our development as it relates to your cause and we will demand a full retraction and apology from them.

When Bear Mountain was first envisioned on private land in 2001, there was a detailed consultation process, including First Nations. We received no responses or input from any member of the BC Assembly of First Nations. Five years in to the project there has been a concern voiced by the Songhees Nation that there “may be” areas of interest on the lands to the south of Bear Mountain. (Not on Bear Mountain Lands). At that time, Bear Mountain was building a road in concert with 5 other land owners to the south of Bear Mountain.

Bear Mountain et al met with Ms Cheryl Bryce of the Songhees Nation, where she explained her concerns. She asked that we halt work on the road ( even though her area of concern was outside of the road right of way)  and engage the services of an Aboriginal Archeological Specialist. Bear Mountain stopped all work on the project and removed all machinery from the site. A request for scope and rate was requested from Millennium Research to conduct a full assessment of the lands in question,( which did not include any lands owned by Bear Mountain).  The group of land owners agreed to the proposal, but it was determined that the area and scope of the Assessment did not go far enough, therefore Millennium was requested to provide a new proposal.

The group of land owners have approved the scope and price at their meeting in May. Millennium Research  will be commencing work shortly. No construction, clearing, grubbing or logging has occurred on the site since this process began.

I will close by stating that there has been no inquiry of any kind on Bear Mountain Lands from any member of the Assembly of First Nations and there is no intention to build a vineyard anywhere other than on Bear Mountain Lands.

Yours truly

Westin Bear Mountain Victoria Golf Resort and Spa

Les Bjola

Project Developer

250 888 0146