News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

A historic mining revenue-sharing agreement between the Province of British Columbia and the McLeod Lake Indian Band was signed today by the Chief and Council and the B.C. government announced Randy Hawes, Minister of State for Mining. 

“B.C. continues to lead the way in Canada with our Economic and Community Development Agreements that ensure First Nations Communities benefit directly from resource development,” said Hawes. “Following on the footsteps of yesterday’s announcement, the Province is pleased to join with the McLeod Lake Indian Band as a partner in environmentally responsible mineral development. B.C. wants to work with other First Nations to develop mining projects that meet some of the highest environmental standards in the world for the benefit of all British Columbians.” 

The Economic and Community Development Agreement (ECDA) is to share mineral tax revenue generated by the Mt. Milligan mine project in the traditional territory of the McLeod Lake Indian Band in northeastern B.C. The agreement places a strong focus on community development to assist First Nations in achieving their social and economic goals. 

“This showcases how First Nations, government and industry are working together to diversify and build the regional and provincial economy,” said Minister Responsible for the Integrated Land Management Bureau Pat Bell. “Projects like the mine and the Mackenzie Pulp Mill that Chief Orr and I celebrated the opening of last week are measured in stable incomes for hundreds of families, and economic activity of hundreds of millions of dollars.” 

The agreement signed today is part of the Province’s commitment to work with First Nations to implement the goals of both the New Relationship and the Transformative Change Accord by providing financial resources to help the First Nations achieve the objectives identified for their communities. 

“This agreement sets a new standard for participation by the McLeod Lake Indian Band in economic developments within our traditional territory,” said Chief Derek Orr of the McLeod Lake Indian Band. “We have secured benefits for all our members in a way that is environmentally responsible, and good for the McLeod Lake Indian Band, the region and the Province.” 

In October 2008, the Province authorized its provincial negotiators to include revenue-sharing with First Nations on new mining projects. 

Future agreements will ensure development of a thriving, competitive, safe and environmentally responsible mineral resource sector, and will increase the contribution to the local and provincial economy for the benefit of all British Columbians.

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