Moose Jaw City Council approved a feature surface lease application for retail stores east of the new Canadian Tire building on Thatcher Drive East. 

A surface lease The Planning and Development Act is a “subdividing instrument” that registers a lease on a portion of a property for a term of 10 years or longer. 

The construction of the Canadian Tire store was approved in 2021 and applied for the application to lease the stores being built on the east side of the parcel of land. 

Coun. Doug Blanc questioned why the application was coming to city council when construction of the businesses is already underway. 

Director of Planning and Development Michelle Sanson explained foundations were needed prior it the lease agreements and explained what would happen if city council didn’t approve the lease. 

“What they are wanting to do is lease it so they would have to leave it under their own ownership if we weren't to allow this,” Sanson explained. 

Sanson added that Canadian Tire would not be able to sell the land without removing the feature lease agreement. 

While it was not confirmed by city council, signs have already gone up on some of the buildings that include Edo Japan, Jump.ca, and Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop.