New Brunswick, Wolastoqey Communities Sign Urgent Revenue-Share Deal

BREAKING: New revenue-sharing agreements between the Government of New Brunswick and the six chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation have just been finalized, marking a significant step forward for First Nations communities. The agreements, signed on October 12, 2023, will allow for the distribution of tax revenues from tobacco, gas, and motive fuel, as well as a share of the provincial harmonized sales tax from businesses operating on First Nations reserve lands.

Premier Susan Holt expressed pride in the collaboration, stating, “Our province flourishes when we work together. These agreements benefit Wolastoqey communities and grow shared prosperity for all New Brunswickers.” This partnership aims to enhance local funding for essential services, including housing, education, healthcare, and economic development.

The six participating communities—Sitansisk (Saint Mary’s), Neqotkuk (Tobique), Bilijk (Kingsclear), Matawaskiye (Madawaska Maliseet), Welamukotuk (Oromocto), and Wotstak (Woodstock)—are set to see immediate benefits from these agreements, which are designed to keep tax revenues within the local community.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Keith Chiasson emphasized the importance of the negotiations, saying, “I am grateful to every chief who trusted us to sit at the negotiating table and figure out a way forward. The legacy of these agreements will be in the growth, collaboration, and collective prosperity of First Nations communities and the province of New Brunswick.”

Chief Patricia Bernard of the Matawaskiye First Nation highlighted the positive impacts of revenue sharing, stating, “Since the first agreements signed between the Province of New Brunswick and First Nations in the 1990s, revenue sharing has allowed us to have autonomous funding for essential services.” She noted the previous absence of such revenue over the last four years, calling this agreement “good news for our communities and all New Brunswickers.”

This landmark agreement is not just a financial arrangement but a crucial step towards reconciliation and equity between First Nations and the provincial government. As these communities prepare to implement the agreements, all eyes will be on New Brunswick to see how these changes will enhance local lives and set a precedent for similar initiatives across Canada.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops and impacts the communities involved. For more breaking news, download the CTV News App for alerts on this and other top stories.