Set out below are titles and brief outlines
of the main Agreements that have legal effect and bearing
on each First Nation with regard to the Casino Rama net
revenues. Each Chief/Council should have a copy of these
legal agreements in their possession and we encourage
you refer to the Agreements in their entirety for detail,
accuracy, reliability and interpretation. The Agreements
are also available on the OFNLP web site. |
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AGREEMENTS BY TITLE
- Casino Rama Revenue Agreement.
- Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership Agreement
Among Ontario First Nations General Partner Inc And
Each Ontario First Nation Who Is Admitted To The Partnership
As A Limited Partner.
- Shareholders Agreement - Ontario First Nations
General Partner Inc. And Each Ontario First Nation Who
Is A Shareholder.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AGREEMENTS 1. CASINO RAMA REVENUE AGREEMENT
The Province and the Ontario First Nations, as represented
by the Chiefs of Ontario, agreed to the establishment of
an Ontario First Nations Casino as a vehicle to enhance
among other things, the growth and capacity of Ontario First
Nations in respect to community development, health, education,
economic development and cultural development.
The Complex was established on the reserve lands of Mnjikaning
First Nation.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Province agrees
that the Ontario First Nations as represented by the Limited
Partnerships are to receive the Accumulated Net Revenues
and the Ongoing Net Revenues in respect of the Complex,
as long as the Complex continues to be conducted and managed
by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) or
the Province . . . or OLGC or the Province is entitled to
Ongoing Net Revenues, whichever is later.
The CASINO RAMA REVENUE AGREEMENT has
effect and force between Her Majesty The Queen In The Right
Of Ontario, Ontario Lottery And Gaming Corporation, Ontario
First Nations Limited Partnership and Mnjikaning First Nation
Limited Partnership.
2. ONTARIO FIRST NATIONS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENT
The Province of Ontario agreed with First Nations to the
establishment of a commercial casino on a First Nations
Territory in Ontario.
First Nations agreed to a process whereby First Nations
wishing to do so would submit proposals to establish such
a casino on their territory.
The successful proposal was that of Mnjikaning and Casino
Rama was built on its territory, opened for business on
August 1, 1996 and has been operating since then.
Following the selection of the Mnjikaning proposal, First
Nations and the Province of Ontario entered into negotiations
and an agreement in principle regarding, among other things,
the terms on which the net revenues from Casino Rama would
be transferred to and used by the First Nations.
In December 1998, First Nations approved the use of one
or more limited partnerships as the basic business organization
to monitor Casino Rama and for the receipt, administration
and distribution of net revenues from Casino Rama.
The Partners are entering into this Agreement for the
purposes of setting out the manner in which their relationship
as partners will be governed.
ARTICLE 1 : INTERPRETATION
“Approved Purposes” means, in respect of all
Net Cash, Future Generations Amounts, Future Generations
Contributions and Investment Income in respect thereof:
(d) capital and/or operating expenditures by Limited Partners
in respect of (i) community development, (ii) health,
(iii) education, (iv) economic development, and (v) cultural
development, of First Nations and their territories and
members, and any matters ancillary thereto;
provided that:
(v) the service and repayment of any Indebtedness existing
at the date hereof in respect of any of the foregoing purposes,
and of any Indebtedness incurred subsequent to the date
hereof in respect of any of the foregoing purposes, and
the defense and enforcement of any rights or claims in respect
of the foregoing purposes, shall be deemed to be for Approved
Purposes;
(w) where, in respect of Indebtedness incurred prior to
the date of this Agreement:
(i) there is some evidence that the Indebtedness was incurred
for one or more of the purpose referred to in this definition;
and
(ii) the lack of more complete evidence is reasonably
attributable to one or more of the period of time
that has passed since the incurrence of such Indebtedness,
any loss of records due to fire, flood or other reasons
beyond the Limited Partner’s control, consolidation
or other refinancing of Indebtedness, or limitations
of record-keeping of the Limited Partner due to its
limited size, remoteness or lack of financial resources,
and then the Joint Appointee appointed under the Revenue
Agreement shall be entitled to resolve any reasonable
doubt whether Indebtedness was incurred for one or
more of the purposes referred to in this definition,
in accordance with the Revenue Agreement.
(y) the foregoing Approved Purposes shall be interpreted
and applied to include within their meaning and scope the
cultures, traditions, values, beliefs, methods and practices
of the First Nations and/or the relevant First Nation activities
and purposes that are in furtherance thereof; and
(z) the parties hereto recognize that many expenditures
could reasonably be categorized as being in respect of more
than one of the foregoing purposes;
“Default”, “Default Notice”, “Defaulting
Partner” and “Default-Induced Suspension of
Distributions” have the respective meanings
attributed thereto in Article 11.
“Formula” means: (i) for
the Initial Period, the Formula Share of Net Cash and the
Formula Share of Future Generations Fund, as applicable;
and (ii) for any Subsequent Period, such formula arrangements
for sharing and distribution of distributable amounts among
Limited Partners as the Chiefs in Assembly, having considered
the terms of the Revenue Agreement in this regard, may determine
from time to time, for such Subsequent Period.
“Formula 2” means the Net
Revenue Distribution Formula No. 2 which was considered
but not adopted by the Chiefs in Assembly during December
15-17, 1998 in Toronto as described in Schedule 1.1 hereto.
“Formula Share” for any Limited
Partner at any time means that each Limited Partner’s
entitlement to Net Cash and to the Future Generations Fund
pursuant to the Formula as it applies to that Limited Partner.
“Formula Share of Future Generations Fund” (for
the Initial Period) means for any Limited Partner at any
time, an amount equal to the aggregate of such of the following
as applies to that Limited Partner:
(a) for each Limited Partner: the Base Factor, multiplied
by the Future Generations Fund, divided by the Base Number;
(b) for each Limited Partner: the Population Factor,
multiplied by the Future Generations Fund multiplied by
a fraction, the numerator of which is that Limited Partner’s
then-current population and the denominator of which
is the then-current Population Total; and
(c) for each Limited Partner that is a Remote First Nation:
the Remoteness Factor, multiplied by the Future Generations
Fund, divided by the Remote Number;
provided that, for any calculation in respect of two or
more Fiscal Years, the total calculation will be the sum
of calculations for each Fiscal Year using the Base Number,
Population, Population Total and Remote Number applicable
to such Fiscal Year; and further provided that the Base
Number, Population, Population Total and Remote Number for
the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2000 shall be deemed to
apply to all prior Fiscal Years in the Initial Period.
“Formula Share of Net Cash” (for
the Initial Period) means for any Limited Partner at any
time, an amount equal to the aggregate of such of the following
as applies to that Limited Partner:
(a) for each Limited Partner: the Base Factor, multiplied
by the Net Cash on hand less the Income (FG) Amount on
hand, divided by the Base Number;
(b) for each Limited Partner: the Population Factor,
multiplied by the Net Cash on hand less the Income (FG)
Amount on hand, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator
of which is that Limited Partner’s then-current
Population and the denominator of which is the then-current
Population Total;
(c) for each Limited Partner that is a Remote First Nation:
the Remoteness Factor, multiplied by the Net Cash on hand
less the Income (FG) Amount on hand, divided by the Remote
Number;
(d) with respect to the Income (FG) Amount, for each Limited
Partner that is a Large First Nation, the Shortfall Compensation
for that Limited Partner to such time:
provided that, for any calculation in respect of two or
more Fiscal Years, the total calculation will be the sum
of calculations for each such Fiscal Year using the Base
Number, Population, Population Total and Remote Number applicable
to such Fiscal Year; and further provided that the Base
Number, Population, Population Total, and Remote Number
for each Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2000 shall be deemed
to apply to all prior Fiscal Years in the Initial Period.
“Future Generations Amount” (for
the Initial Period) means in respect of each Transferred
LP Amount, 25% thereof, less an amount equal to that part
of the Large First Nations Imputed Interest Entitlement
which is related thereto.
“Future Generations Fund” means
all Future Generations Amounts, any Future Generations Contributions
pursuant to Article 9 and all Investment Income in respect
thereof (other than Investment Income earned on Future Generations
Amounts during the Initial Period not exceeding the Shortfall
Amount); and for greater certainty excludes all Income (FG)
Amounts not exceeding the Shortfall Amount.
“Indebtedness” means all
indebtedness for borrowed money, all indebtedness under
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement,
all liabilities represented by a note or other evidence
of indebtedness, all obligations under leases, all guarantees
of indebtedness of another Person and all other liabilities
of a Person.
“Initial Period” means the
five year period beginning August 1, 1996 and ending July
31, 2001.
“Investment Income” means
interest, dividends, capital gains, ordinary income and
other returns realized in respect of any Net Cash, Future
Generations Amount or Future Generations Contribution, net
of applicable taxes, but does not include the capital amount
thereof, but does include further returns realized on reinvestment
of such returns.
“Joint Appointee” has the
meaning ascribed to it in the Revenue Agreement.
“Large First Nation” (for
the Initial Period) means each of the Mohawk Council of
Akwesasne, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Six Nations
of the Grand River Territory and the Wikwemikong Unceded
Indian Reserve.
“Large First Nations Imputed Interest Entitlement” (for
the Initial Period) means the amount of interest (including
compound interest) or other investment returns or compensation
paid or payable in respect of 25% of each Transferred LP
Amount from the respective dates of the Province’s
or OLGC’s receipt of the related Net Revenues to the
respective dates same are transferred to the Partnership
pursuant to the Revenue Agreement.
“Net Cash” (for the Initial
Period) means, in respect of any period means the amount,
if any, by which:
(a) the aggregate of:
exceeds:
(b) the aggregate of:
all calculated without duplication, subject to any restrictions
on distributions pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or the Metís Litigation Agreement.
“Population Factor” (for
the Initial Period) means 50%.
“Population Total” means,
for any First Nations Year, the total of all Populations
of all First Nations for that period.
“Permitted Interim Investments” means
any investment referred to in Schedule 1.1G.
“Remote First Nation” means,
at any time, any First Nation then named in Schedule 1.1H
hereto, subject to any additions to or deletions from Schedule
1.1H as may be determined by the Chiefs of Ontario to be
appropriate from time to time (and Schedule 1.1H shall be
amended accordingly in accordance with Section 1.9).
“Remote Number” means, at
any time, the number of Remote First Nations at that time.
“Remoteness Factor” (for
the Initial Period) means 10%.
“Revenue Agreement” means
the Casino Rama Revenue Agreement, to be entered into concurrently
with the Protocol Agreement and the Metís Litigation
Agreement, among the Partnership, Mnjikaning Partnership,
the Province and OLGC, substantially in the form of the
most recent draft provided to the Limited Partners subject
to such alterations as may be provided by the General Partner
as evidenced by its execution of same.
“Revenue Agreements” means
the Revenue Agreement, the Metís Litigation Agreement,
the Protocol Agreement, the MFN Limited Partnership Agreement,
(as defined in the Revenue Agreement), the Shareholders
Agreement and this Agreement.
Schedules. The following are the Schedules
to this Agreement and shall have the same force and effect
as if the information contained therein were contained in
the body of this Agreement:
Schedule 1.1A Approved Investments
Schedule 1.1B List
of First Nations
Schedule 1.1C Formula 2
Schedule 1.1D (form of) General
Partner Unit Certificate
Schedule 1.1E (form of) Limited
Partner Unit Certificate
Schedule 1.1F Schedule of Near
Bands
Schedule 1.1H Remote First Nations
Schedule 1.1I (form of)
Subscription Agreement
Schedule 6.6(b) (form of) Notice
and Undertaking of Near/Sister First Nation
Schedule 11.1
(form of) Limited Partner Report on Distribution and Expenses
Schedule 11.2 (form of) Partnership Report to the Province
ARTICLE 2 : FORMATION OF PARTNERSHIP
AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTNERS
2.1.1 Formation. The General Partner
and the Limited Partners hereby form a limited
partnership under the provisions of the Act. The rights,
restrictions and liabilities of the Partners shall be
provided in the Act except as herein otherwise expressly
provided.
2.3 Business of the Partnership. The
business of the Partnership shall be to monitor the Complex
and to receive, administer, invest and distribute that portion
of the net revenues from the Complex to which the Partnership
may from time to time be entitled pursuant to the Revenue
Agreements, including acting pursuant to those Revenue Agreements
to which the Partnership is party; investing in Permitted
Interim Investments and Approved Investments, making distributions
of Net Cash and Future Generations Fund and receiving and
making reports on the uses of Transferred LP Amounts and
Investment Income, all in accordance with the terms hereof,
(collectively, the “Business”)
but, for greater certainty, none of the First Nations Activities
(as defined in the definitions of “Business” in
Section 1.1) shall be or be regarded as part of the Business.
The Partnership shall carry on the Business and shall further
authorized to exercise all powers ancillary and incidental
thereto or reasonably in furtherance thereof. The Partnership
shall not carry on any business other than the Business.
ARTICLE 7: APPROVED PURPOSES
7.1 Use of Funds for Approved
Purposes.
(1) The Partnership shall use all Transferred
LP Amounts, Future Generation Contributions
and Investment Income in respect thereof
only for Approved Purposes applicable
to the Partnership.
(2) Limited Partners shall use (a)
all amounts received pursuant to Article
6, and (b) all Investment Income from
Approved Investments or Permitted Interim Investments
by or on behalf of them only for Approved Purposes applicable
to the Limited Partners.
(3) Without limiting the generality
of subsection (2), Limited Partners
shall use Future Generations Fund distributed
to them only for Approved Purposes that are for the benefit
of Future generations of First Nations. ARTICLE 11: REPORTING TO THE
PROVINCE
11.1 Limited Partners Reports and Information. Each
Limited Partner which has for a Fiscal Year received
a distribution pursuant to Article 6 hereof shall:
(a) within 120 days following the end of each Fiscal Year,
deliver to the General Partner an audited financial statement
for the distributions and expenses during the Fiscal Year,
which shall show the expenses by categories set forth
in paragraph (e) of the definition of Approved Purposes,
and the amount of such expenses that, in the reasonable
opinion of the Limited Partner, are for the benefit of
future generations, and shall be substantially in the
form of Schedule 11.1; and
(b) within the periods provided for in the Revenue Agreement,
comply with any requests for reports, documents or other
information requested by the General Partner or by the
Joint Appointee pursuant to the Revenue Agreement.
11.2 Limited Partner Default in Reporting
or Other Obligations. Each Limited
Partner acknowledges and agrees that:
(a) in the event of any breach of or non-compliance with
its obligations under this Agreement or its Acknowledgement
and Consent (including any breach of or non-compliance
with Section 9.8 of the Revenue Agreement, if applicable,
in respect of such Limited Partner) (a “Default”)
by such Limited Partner (a “Defaulting
Partner”),
the Partnership shall be entitled (without limitation
to the rights and remedies of the parties hereto):
(i) to give notice (the “Default
Notice”)
to such Defaulting Partner setting out a summary description
of the Default; and
(ii) in the vent that the Defaulting
Partner shall not have cured such Default
within 60 days of the Default Notice
being given (or such shorter period
as may be available under the Revenue
Agreement, as stated in the Default
Notice) to withhold such Limited Partner’s
Formula Share and further distributions until
the Defaulting Partner has cured the
Default or such other time as may be
required or permitted and granted pursuant
to the Revenue Agreement (such remedy being referred
to herein as a “Default-Induced Suspension
of Distributions”); and
(b) the Partnership may be obliged under
the Revenue Agreement to exercise its rights
and remedies in respect of a Default, including
imposing a Default-Induced Suspension of
Distributions, without the prior delivery
of a Default Notice.
11.5 Reports and Information Available
to Members of Limited Partners. Each
Limited Partner shall permit any persons
who are members of that First Nation to
examine copies of financial statements,
reports and other documents and information provided
by such Limited Partner to the Partnership or the
Joint Appointee pursuant to this Agreement, at such
reasonable times and as often as may be requested
by any such persons, and the Limited Partner shall
answer any inquiries which persons make, fully and
fairly and to the best of its ability.
MISCELLANEOUS
19.1 Gaming on First Nation Territories. Each
Limited Partner agrees that, to the extent that such
Limited Partner conducts gaming activity on its First
Nation territories, such gaming activity will be conducted
in accordance with applicable law.
3. SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
Those First Nations who have executed this Agreement and
each First Nation who from time to time executes this Agreement
or a counterpart hereof and who becomes a holder of shares
in the capital of the Corporation in accordance with the
terms hereof (collectively, the “Shareholders” and
individually a Shareholder”).
The Corporation has an authorized capital consisting of
133 common shares. As of the date hereof, each Shareholder
is the registered holder of one common share in the capital
of the Corporation.
The Corporation is the general partner in Ontario First
Nations Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”)
and each Shareholder is a limited partner in the Partnership.
The purpose of this Agreement is to provide for the election
of a board of directors of the Corporation, the accommodation
of certain observers, the appointment of officers, reporting
obligations and certain other matters in accordance with
the agreement among the Shareholders and with the Revenue
Agreement and the Protocol Agreement in these regards.
No Shareholder intends, by virtue of or pursuant to this
Agreement or otherwise, to take part in the control of the
business of the Partnership.
PURPOSE OF FUNDS
The funds can only be used for one or more of the following
purposes with regard to capital and operational expenditure:
(1) Community Development; (2) Health; (3) Education;
(4) Economic Development; (5) Cultural Development.
* Funds may be used to retire and service debt, as long
as the debt was accumulated in relation to one or more of
the five purposes.
The five purposes permit the First Nation to use funds
based on local priorities and values as they evolve over
time. However, the purposes do have a core meaning. When
funds are spent, they must be spent for the public good
in one or more of the five purposes of funds. These restrictions
include any and all interest earned by investment. Those
interest monies earned must also eventually be expended
against the five purposes. Monies invested must be invested
in accordance with the Permitted Interim Investment Schedule
and/or the Approved Investment Schedule.
If a First Nation engages in a simple individual or per
capita distribution, that would be viewed as
a default of the Agreements, and remedial
action by the Partnership would occur, including, but
not limited to, the suspension of further net revenue
distributions, until the breach is remedied.
At the same time, the spending purposes in the Agreement
are broad enough to cover most legitimate public
projects and activities.
OTHER AGREEMENTS OF INTEREST
While not outlined in this Brief, the following Agreements
are also important and should be reviewed:
- Metís Litigation Agreement;
- Casino Rama Protocol Agreement;
- Mnjikaning First Nation Limited Partnership Agreement
Chiefs/Councils have these Agreements in their possession.
The Agreements are also available from the OFNLP website: www.ofnlp.org.
Note: This document contains agreement excerpts
only. First Nation Limited Partners are encouraged to
review the complete agreements in their possession. This
document is provided for information purposes only.
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