Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership

This area is restricted to members with special access.

Please note: PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL: This material is privileged and confidential. It has been prepared for the purpose of informing and advising Ontario First Nations who are, or are entitled to become, limited partners of Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership ("Ontario First Nations"). his material may also reflect information provided to or received from lawyers representing Ontario First Nations for the purpose of seeking or providing legal advice.

Position Statements

35 % Issue

At the June 2001 AOCC in Bkejwanong Territory, the Chiefs of all First Nations other than MFN voted to have the 35% of Casino net revenues shared among all First Nations after July 31, 2001 (the 5-year agreement under which MFN received the full 35% expired on this date). It is important to note that this is the Chiefs’ decision to make. MFN filed a motion with the Court of Ontario to try to keep the 35% forever but this motion is being fought by COO and OFNLP who are committed to having these revenues rightfully shared among all FN communities in Ontario.

20% WinTax Issue

In breach of an agreement with OFNs, the Province of Ontario levied and has been collecting 20% of gross revenues from the Casino since its opening in 1996. COO filed a lawsuit in 1998 to recover these confiscated funds for all OFNs. Currently OFNLP is managing the litigation in consultation with COO. First Nations in Ontario are fully and totally entitled to these funds.

Litigation

The Court of Ontario agreed with the decision of the Chiefs of Ontario that OFNLP and COO should represent all FN in Ontario other than MFN in legal cases before the Courts. OFNLP is vigorously involved in legal action to return the 35% of the Casino’s net revenues collected since August 1, 2001 and the 20% gross revenue Win Tax collected by the Province since 1996 to OFN communities.

The 20% and 35% cases are being managed concurrently by the courts though the two matters raise separate issues. The cases may take several years to get to trial and any appeals could take longer.

Ownership of the First Nations Casino at Rama

Casino Rama is owned by all of the First Nations in Ontario and exists to serve the needs of First Nations across the Province. Mnjikaning First Nation is no more or no less the host community of the Casino and is generously compensated for having this position.