The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in Canada recently said Premier Brian Pallister’s provincial government has no right to tell First Nations where they may or may not locate their casinos. Pallister earlier had rejected the chiefs’ plans to relocate the failing Aseneskak Casino from the Pas to Winnipeg.
In a statement, Grand Chief Derek Nepinak said, “In no uncertain terms is it acceptable for the Pallister government to undermine and unilaterally dismiss the Aseneskak Casino board request to relocate their casino. If the province has a policy, they should be talking to us, rather than passing policy through the newspaper.” Pallister told the media his decision against relocating the financially struggling casino before briefing the AMC.
“The previous government expanded gambling more than virtually any other jurisdiction in the country and it hasn’t solved their social problems. In fact, I think it’s made many of them worse. So no, it’s not going to happen,” Pallister said. He cited a 2016 provincial gaming study, concluding Manitoba’s casino market is oversaturated, and stated he did tell the chiefs his decision in private.
The chiefs and the province have been in talks about relocating the Aseneskak Casino to land near Assinioboia Downs, the subject of a memorandum of understanding between the Aseneskak Casino and Peguis First Nation. However, Nepinak said the province had been “noncommittal” about the casino’s relocation prior to the public disagreement.
“There is a double standard being applied to First Nations gaming in Manitoba. Government casinos are making $300 million a year. Meanwhile our casinos are really struggling. First Nations are left on the fringe of gaming in the province. I think the gaming monopoly is biased against First Nations, and the province is in a position of conflict of interest,” Nepinak said.
The province agreed to license five First Nations casinos dating back to a 1999 agreement with former NDP premier Gary Doer. The issue has been a source of contention on both sides ever since.
