Saskatchewan Party Leader Visits Montreal Lake

Saskatchewan Party Leader Visits Montreal Lake

Thursday, August 02, 2007 at 15:14

The Montreal Lake Cree Nation is playing host to Saskatchewan’s Opposition leader today.

Brad Wall’s visit to the reserve will be one of his final stops on his current tour of the Prince Albert area.

The Saskatchewan Party leader says he was invited to meet with the band’s chief and council.

In addition to local concerns, Wall expects there will be plenty of discussion on broader issues — like the duty of government and industry to consult and accommodate First Nations regarding development on traditional lands.

Wall says the NDP government’s failure to shape a workable policy has helped create the current impasse between Oilsands Quest and the Clearwater River Dene Nation near La Loche.

He says the Saskatchewan oilsands development is potentially at risk because of government “negligence”.

Clearwater River Chief Roy Cheecham says he won’t be talking to any companies interested in his band’s traditional territory until he establishes a protocol agreement with the province on these matters.