The Saskatchewan Party government is showing little interest in a resource revenue sharing agreement with First Nations.
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations wants the province to open discussions on such a deal.
The renewed call takes direct aim at the province’s current revenue sharing agreement with municipalities.
FSIN Chief Perry Bellegarde says there appears to be a double standard when it comes to the province’s dealings with First Nations.
He says Aboriginal communities want and need a similar revenue stream.
Bellegarde also says First Nations participation is vital for the province to achieve its true economic potential.
However, Saskatchewan’s finance minister is already rejecting the idea.
Ken Krawetz says there will be no special deals with interest groups.
“Our government has been pretty clear on that position,” he says. “We believe that the monies in the province of Saskatchewan are for all individuals. That is the method of distribution currently and we are going to continue that policy.”
Urban and rural municipalities in the province receive one per cent of the revenue from the sales tax for things like road construction.
This year, there is an extra $27 million because the sales tax generated more revenue than expected.