April 30, 2003

The Province of Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro signed agreements-in-principle (AIPs) today with the community councils of Cross Lake and Norway House detailing compensation arrangements for impacts related to past hydroelectric developments.

"These agreements-in-principle are a positive step for Manitoba and the communities of Norway House and Cross Lake," said Energy, Science and Technology Minister Tim Sale. "Though we are poised at the edge of some exciting times in terms of the development of this province’s resources, we must also respect the past and deal with the issues of the past. Only by addressing our past impacts can we can look forward to the tremendous opportunities for all Manitobans."

Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin acknowledged the leadership of the mayor and councillors from the two Northern Affairs communities in achieving the AIPs.

"This signing today stands alongside other developments in these communities such as major road upgrades and paving projects as an example of our commitment to working to address the concerns of the Cross Lake and Norway House community councils."

The AIPs lay out a framework for providing approximately $9 million for the Norway House Community Council and $8 million for the Cross Lake Community Council for a total of $17 million.

At the signing, Bob Brennan, president and chief executive officer of Manitoba Hydro, characterized the AIPs as win-win for both the communities and Manitoba Hydro.

"These agreements-in-principle should help the communities move forward with some exciting new opportunities and allow them to look to the future with renewed optimism," said Brennan. "And, it allows Manitoba Hydro to make further progress in addressing the consequences of our past actions."

"This agreement goes some distance towards addressing the social and economic ills of our community. These new dollars will certainly help to restore pride in our culture and a sense of being a part of this province," said Bob Smith, deputy mayor of Cross Lake. "Band members living in the two Northern Affairs communities will still have access to benefits under the Northern Flood Agreement."

"Today we’ve agreed to a process that will give our community some additional resources to channel towards economic development, things like recreational facilities and tourism. It gives us the opportunity to work towards a brighter future for our community," said Lynne Mowatt, mayor of Norway House.

The purpose of the AIPs is to guide the completion of comprehensive settlement agreements which will address outstanding issues related to past Hydro projects. The settlement agreements will also include provisions related to consultation on possible future Hydro developments, community development lands and resource management.

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