OTTAWA, ONTARIO (March 15, 2011) – The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, issued the following statement today following Mathias Colomb Cree Nation's ratification of an Agreement which addresses the impact of diesel fuel leaks in the 1970s and 1980s.
“I am extremely pleased that the community of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation has voted to accept this Agreement which closes a longstanding claim and gives the First Nation an opportunity to invest in infrastructure for its future.
The Agreement provides $17 million to allow the First Nation to replace, at its discretion, some demolished buildings and to address social, education and economic impacts of the fuel leaks and disruption resulting from the clean‑up. In return, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation will cease litigation in relation to the diesel spill.
This Agreement is a result of extensive collaborative efforts among the parties and demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to settling outstanding claims.
I would like to end by thanking First Nation leadership, in particular Chief Arlen Dumas, who after being elected in 2008, approached the federal government and recommended working toward an out of court agreement. I commend him for his vision in bringing this claim to a successful resolution.”
Michele-Jamali Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable John Duncan
819-997-0002
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
