Dialogue to continue on four main issues as a result of meeting with Quebec Premier Couillard

02/01/2016

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform Kahnawa’kehró:non that last week’s meeting with with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard has resulted in a commitment by both the MCK and the Quebec government to continue dialogue on four main topics.

Those topics are 1) Bill 85 and Kahnawà:ke’s role as a key player in the economic development of the Highway 30 corridor, 2) Trade and Commerce; 3) Gaming; and 4) Potential economic development ventures in Kahnawà:ke.

“There wasn’t a spare moment to be had – it was an ambitious agenda,” said Intergovernmental Portfolio Chief Rhonda Kirby, who attended last Wednesday’s meeting along with Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton and Chief Political Advisor Winona Polson-Lahache. “It is always a priority for us to speak directly with the Canadian or Provincial decision-makers. In this case, the first face-to-face meeting between Grand Chief Norton and Premier Couillard resulted in a clear indication of which areas show potential and where our greatest challenges, such as taxation, lie.”

“Obviously, we are at a point in our history where it seems every step we take is an important one,” Chief Kirby added. “While this was a useful first step, there’s a long way to go.”

The community will be made aware of follow up meetings, actions or other activities as developments occur.