Gaming agreement tabled for Saskatchewan

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The stage has been set for the expansion of the gaming industry in Saskatchewan with the formalization of a casino development agreement between the provincial governmental and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

The agreement, still to be ratified by the Saskatchewan Legislature, will see two permanent casinos created and operated by the province in conjunction with FSIN. Aboriginals will make up 50 per cent of casino employees with pre-employment training conducted in advance of the casino's opening. The training may be done in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology.

Profits from the casinos will be shared so as to benefit all the people of Saskatchewan, said Eldon Lautermilch, minister for the Liquor and Gaming Authority. The agreement designates 50 per cent of the profits to the province, 25 per cent to a

First Nations fund to be shared by the bands on a basis as determined by FSIN, and

25 per cent paid to a gaming stabilization fund to be shared by exhibition associations, charities and the Metis.

The FSIN will be provided a one-time payment of $1.75 million, to be shared by the various bands, to help cover the costs associated with developing the partnership.

A Crown corporation would be established to oversee all casino operations. This corporation would be comprised of a seven-member board of directors consisting of four members nominated by the government and three members nominated by the FSIN.

If approved, this unique agreement would establish the basis for a long-term partnership between the Saskatchewan government and the Indian Nations on the operations of casinos, said Lautermilch.

But there may already be a fly in the agreement ointment, with Metis Nation of Saskatchewan leader Gerald Morin insisting the proposed revenue distribution is unfair and inequitable to this people.

Morin has said he's not happy with the deal, or the number of jobs his people will get. He said the Metis Nation has been left out of negotiations because of an RCMP investigation into spending practices of the organization, and wants the deal re-negotiated.