Should First Nations get piece of the action at our casino?

NEWS RELEASE - ONTARIO MINISTRY OF FINANCE

********************* David Peterson to lead talks with First Nations on new framework for sharing gaming revenue

TORONTO, Feb. 17 - The Ontario government announced today the appointment of former Premier David Peterson [shown] as the Province's representative in discussions with First Nations on a new framework for sharing gaming revenues.

"It's important we work closely with Ontario's First Nations to build a stable source of funding for community, economic and cultural development, health and education," said Finance Minister Greg Sorbara.

"I believe that, as a former Premier, a lawyer with extensive experience in corporate and commercial law, and a track record of leading complex government discussions, he brings to the table the right skills to get the job done." Ontario's First Nations currently share in provincial gaming revenues from a single gaming site - Casino Rama. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) and First Nations leaders have held preliminary discussions on options for a new arrangement, including an arrangement for the First Nations to share in revenues from all provincial gaming sites, providing a greater degree of funding stability.

The First Nations have asked the Province to appoint a provincial representative to lead the talks. "As the provincial lead in these talks, Peterson will help the Province and the First Nations work together to find common ground," said Sorbara.

"I am confident we will arrive at an appropriate solution that will ensure the First Nations have access to stable funding they can invest in their communities." ******************** Biography - David Peterson David Peterson served as Premier of Ontario between 1985 and 1990, overseeing a very active period of reform and playing a major role in the country's constitutional discussions.

He was elected as a member of the Ontario Legislature in 1975, and became the leader of the Ontario Liberal party in 1982. He is now a senior partner and chairman of Cassels Brock, where he practices corporate/commercial law. Peterson was founding chairman of the Toronto Raptors Basketball Club Inc.

He is a director of Rogers Communications Ltd., Rogers AT&T, Cambridge Shopping Centres Limited and a number of other Canadian companies, and a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of Xerox of Canada Inc. He is Chairman of the Ontario March of Dimes, President of the Ontario Canada Day Committee, Member of the Toronto Olympic Bid Committee, Governor, University of Toronto Governing Council and a director or member of a number of charitable, cultural and environmental organizations including Canadian Club, Cercle Canadien, Council for Canadian Unity and the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada.

Peterson was chairman of the Commonwealth Team observing the 1992 elections in Guyana.

He is an adjunct professor at York University and speaks often on national and international issues, as well as being a frequent commentator on television. Peterson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Toronto and studied at the University of Caen, France.

He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1969, appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1980 and summoned by Her Majesty to the Privy Council in 1992.

Peterson has received honorary doctorates from the University of Ottawa, the University of Tel Aviv, the American University of the Caribbean and the University of Toronto.

In 1994 the government of France appointed him a Knight of the Order of the Legion of Honour of France.

In 1995 the International Assembly of French-Speaking Parliamentarians presented him with the Ordre de la Pléiade.

********************