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MEDIA
RELEASE
March 29, 2006
First Nations within Ontario Sign
New Gaming Agreement with Province |
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Ontario First Nations Limited
Partnership (OFNLP) and the government of
Ontario have signed a new First Nations Gaming and Revenue
Sharing
Agreement-in-Principle (AIP).
“This is a significant step forward. First Nations will
view this as a measure by
the provincial government to recognize First Nations rights
to benefit from a
major revenue source. Indeed, sharing is an important principle
of the
relationship, as is negotiation versus litigation”, said
Ontario Regional Chief
Angus Toulouse.
“This AIP represents a new relationship between First Nations
within Ontario and
the Province. It is an opportunity for our Partners to build
upon existing
successes as well as address community growth and development.
We look
forward to finalizing the agreements required to move forward,” said
Harvey
Yesno, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Director. Mr. Yesno was speaking,
Wednesday
at Queen’s Park, after the signing of the AIP with the
Ontario Regional Chief and
the Premier of Ontario.
Steve Williams, Independents Director, commented, “When
the Formal Business
Agreements are in place, First Nations within Ontario will
have the opportunity to
develop long-term income strategies. No longer will our Partners
be dependent
on a single source of gaming revenue.”
In January 2005, Partners directed their Negotiating team to
follow up on the
Province’s invitation to discuss terms which could resolve
several issues
concerning First Nations gaming interests. The Province appointed
David
Peterson as its lead negotiator.
The OFNLP Board thanked Negotiating Team – Gord Peters,
Joe Miskokomon,
Linda Commandant, Don Morrison, Mike Mitchell, Ernest Sutherland
and George
Kakeway – for their dedication and commitment toward creating
the new
agreement.
When the Formal Business Agreements are finalized, OFNLP Partners
will have
a ground-breaking multi-year business agreement. Under the new
agreements,
the current Casino Rama Revenue Agreements will continue until
2011. Over
the next five years, First Nations will receive an
additional $155 million. In 2011, OFNLP will increase its gaming
revenue from
the single source of Casino Rama to 1.6% of the total gross revenue
of all
provincial gaming.
Once Partners and the Province settle Formal Business Agreements,
OFNLP will
begin the process to discontinue the 20% litigation, which began
in 1998.
“A year ago, our Partners directed the Negotiating Team
to bring back the best
possible gaming deal from the Province of Ontario. After many
meetings and
discussions our team came away with the elements of a business
agreement
which would protect First Nation rights and build economic strength”,
said Linda
Commandant, Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians Director
and member of
the OFNLP Negotiating Team.
Don Morrison, Grand Council Treaty #3 Director and a member of
the OFNLP
Negotiating Team, stated, “This agreement will address
many of the immediate
and short-term financial pressures faced by the First Nations.
Existing successes
will continue and be enhanced. Future generations will benefit
from strategic,
diversified investments locally and in the mainstream economy.”
“The agreement does not eliminate or prejudice any of our
constitutional or
Treaty rights,” remarked Leroy Dolson, Union of Ontario
Indians Director.
The Formal Business Agreements are subject to ratification by
the First Nation
Partners some time before December 31, 2006. |
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Contact:
Jennifer Chittim, Communications Officer
publicrelations@ofnlp.org
cell: 1-519-761-3155 |
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Backgrounder
Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership
“To act on behalf of and work for the success of Ontario
First Nations Limited Partners in
ways that best achieve their common interests”.
• Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership (OFNLP) was
established in
2000 to monitor, receive, administer, invest and distribute
the net
revenues of the First Nations Casino at Rama and to perform
other
related functions.
• OFNLP works on behalf of the 133 First Nation Partners
in Ontario to
protect their interests in the context of the Casino Rama Revenue
Agreement.
• Revenue is distributed to Partners based on a formula
established by the
Ontario Chiefs in Assembly.
• Individual First Nations may allocate their revenues
for community growth
and development in the following five areas:
1. Community Development;
2. Health;
3. Education;
4. Economic Development; and,
5. Cultural Development.
• The Board consists of five directors, representing each
of the First Nation
Political Territories and the Independents within Ontario.
The OFNLP
office is located on the Mississaugas of the New Credit.
2005-2006 OFNLP Board of Directors
Harvey Yesno - Nishnawbe Aski Nation Director, President
Steve Williams - Independent Director, Vice President
Don Morrison - Grand Council Treaty # 3 Director, Treasurer
Linda Commandant - Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians
Director, Secretary
Leroy Dolson - Union of Ontario Indians Director
Contact:
Communications Officer
1-905-768-7557
publicrelations@ofnlp.org
Cell: 1-519-761-3155
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