Oilsands Quest To Pay Yearly Sum To La Loche
Wednesday, August 06, 2008 at 13:05
The mayor of La Loche says a deal her village recently signed with Oilsands Quest has been in the works for the last two-and-a-half years.
Georgina Jolibois says the formal economic agreement commits the company to also address social and environmental concerns as it develops the nearby tar sands deposit.
Jolibois refuses to disclose how much money the village will be getting from the company, but says the funds will be used to pave local roads, establish two playgrounds and build a youth centre, among other things.
Jolibois says money will flow from the company to the village every year it is in operation in the region.
The deal also contains language that makes Oilsands Quest responsible for eventually employing a majority of the local population — through training, direct employment, and the awarding of contracts.
Jolibois says her community is now negotiating an impact benefit agreement with Oilsands Quest, which she says will be a bigger deal than this one.