March 29, 2006

Statement to the Legislature: Concerning the Signing of an Agreement-In-Principle with the First Nations Regarding the Sharing of Gaming Revenue
by David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal

Speaker, I rise to inform the Honourable Members that today is an historic day for the Government of Ontario and the Ontario First Nations. 

This morning Premier Dalton McGuinty signed an agreement-in-principle that sets out a new partnership for sharing the economic benefits of gaming with First Nations.

I underline the word “partnership.” Our government is committed to taking a new approach to aboriginal affairs — and to strengthening a partnership we value greatly.

The agreement-in-principle commits the parties to negotiate binding legal agreements by December 31, 2006, which will provide over 130 Ontario First Nations with more financial stability — and a brighter future — than they have today.

First Nation communities will be able to invest in important areas such as their people’s education, skills and health.

Speaker, let me briefly outline a few elements of the agreement.

Right now, Ontario First Nations receive provincial gaming revenue from a single gaming site — Casino Rama. That contract runs until 2011.

Under the terms set out in today’s agreement-in-principle, as of 2011 First Nations would be provided with 1.6 per cent of gross revenue from all provincial gaming.

And before 2011, Ontario First Nations would also receive approximately $155 million over the next six years.

It took almost one full year for the provincial government and the Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership to arrive at this agreement.

It happened, Speaker, thanks to a highly dedicated group. I want to express my gratitude to the negotiators for their invaluable leadership. They include former Premier David Peterson, the Province’s representative — as well as the following members of the Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership, or OFNLP:

• Gord Peters
• Joe Miskokomon
• Linda Commandant
• Don Morrison
• Mike Mitchell
• Ernest Sutherland, and
• George Kakeway.

I also want to point out that a number of people from the OFNLP are here in the Legislature today — to witness history in the making. Thank you for being here.

Speaker, in closing, let me say that our government is committed to building opportunity for Ontario First Nations.

We will continue on this road together, working with our First Nation partners toward a goal that all of us share — healthy, prosperous communities.

Thank you, Speaker.