The Manitoba government has announced an agreement with three First Nation governments that will keep hundreds of good-paying jobs in the Swan Valley region.
“We know these jobs provide good paycheques but are also part of who people are in the region,” said Premier Wab Kinew. “After years of instability, our government is committed to getting this right – to protect jobs for the people of the Swan Valley region, including Indigenous Peoples, and to come up with a thoughtful plan that will bring us to an agreement for the next 20 years.”
The memorandum of understanding will extend Louisiana Pacific’s operating licence by five years. During this time, Louisiana Pacific, local First Nations and the Manitoba government will work together to create a 20-year forest management plan that meets the needs of both parties. This act of economic reconciliation is good for the economy, Indigenous Peoples and working-class Manitobans, the premier noted.
“Today marks the first time that the Manitoba government has agreed to move forward collaboratively with First Nations in this province to support immediate and long-term measures to protect treaty rights in commercial forestry licensing agreements. It further shows a willingness to engage in joint decision-making about forest stewardship in our traditional homelands,” said Chief Elwood Zastre, Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation on behalf of the three First Nations signatories. “We see this as the beginning of a hopeful new relationship with the Manitoba government which supports the exercise of our treaty rights and aims to achieve a sustainable forest over the long term for future generations.”
“The agreement that we have reached today is historic because it brings long-term economic stability, strengthens relationships, and builds economic reconciliation,” said Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses. “This protects treaty rights and good local jobs for the people of Swan Valley.”
The agreement comes after years of instability that saw Louisiana Pacific’s licence extended on a short-term basis. Through building trust and relationships with First Nations and industry partners, the Manitoba government is committed to developing a plan that will keep the Louisiana Pacific plant active in Minitonas while honouring the treaty rights of local First Nations, the premier added.
