December 15, 2003

WINNIPEG--The Province of Manitoba and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) today released the report of the joint committee responsible for the review and evaluation of the 2000 First Nations Casino Project.

The committee members, Lloyd Stevenson, band advisor, Peguis First Nation, representing the AMC, and Rick Josephson, executive director, Manitoba Gaming Control Commission (MGCC), representing the Province, were guided by terms of reference released earlier this year. The members were directed to examine the Selection Committee process, as well as the legislative and regulatory framework, and financial and business factors.

In addition to comments and observations on the Casino Project process’ strengths and weaknesses, the report made six recommendations. The Province and the AMC support all six and plan to move immediately on the following two:

1. Establish a sound First Nations legislative and regulatory framework which would see the establishment of an umbrella First Nations organization that would oversee the conduct and management of First Nations casinos and on-reserve gaming, similar to the role of Manitoba Lotteries Corporation.
2. Based on an independent market study, undertaken by the Province in cooperation with the AMC, the Province should explore with the AMC the most feasible options for future casino development.

"The new legislation will strengthen compliance and accountability and will reflect the recommendations from the Auditor General’s report on gaming accountability released last spring," said Tim Sale, minister responsible for the Gaming Control Act. "The market study will help to determine whether or not there is a market for additional casino development in the province and whether employment opportunities would be maximized with one ‘significant’ casino or several smaller ones."

"The joint committee has made positive recommendations that will move the First Nation gaming initiative forward," said Dennis White Bird, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. "I applaud the Province for agreeing to launch this study."

A market study to determine whether any further casino development is feasible will be undertaken shortly. The terms of reference for the market study will be drafted jointly between the AMC and the Province. It will reflect the province’s position that Winnipeg will not be included as a possible location for future casino development and the aims of the 1997 Bostrom Report, which focused on the job opportunities for Manitoba First Nations. The study will be conducted independently of government and the AMC.

The remaining recommendations supported by the Province and AMC include:

• Casino development should continue to require support and approval of First Nation leadership if located on reserve land, or support by local municipal council if proposed off-reserve, with particular attention paid to timing – formal support for development should be secured early in the process.
• The on-reserve development requirement should be softened.
• The recommendation process should be inclusive, cooperative and non-competitive.
• The maximum number of slots committed to under the current policy framework for casino development should be maintained at 1,500 total for all First Nations casino developments, pending the results of an independent comprehensive market analysis.

Sale noted that the Province was pleased that the committee recognized the value of community support in the early stages of the casino development process. "We are pleased that the report recognizes that early formal support for development should be secured and articulated as part of the expression of interest process to clarify and confirm the economic development interests of local governments and communities minimize pre-development expenses and affirm mutual economic benefits."

The release of the report completes the commitment made in late 2002 to establish a joint committee to review and evaluate the 2000 First Nations Casino Project.

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