Ontario’s First Nation communities need a Resource Revenue Sharing agreement with the McGuinty Liberals before loan guarantees, said NDP Leader Howard Hampton.

“Ontario’s First Nations, especially those in the North, have substantial mineral and resource wealth on their traditional land, but the standard of living on many First Nations is among the lowest in Canada. The McGuinty Liberals need to stop ignoring First Nations and start treating them fairly – starting with a fair revenue sharing, so they can benefit from the resource wealth on their traditional lands,” said Hampton.

Hampton was reacting to news reports that suggest loan guarantees to help aboriginal companies qualify to bid on new energy projects.

“Rather than getting side-tracked by the idea of loan guarantees, the McGuinty Liberals need to take action and give First Nations the powers and revenue they have long been asking for,” Hampton said.