Two Quebec Ministers, four local mayors meet in Kahnawake on economic development

08/29/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke wishes to advise the community that a successful meeting was held today between representatives of Kahnaw�:ke, two Quebec cabinet ministers and the mayors of four surrounding communities on the topic of economic development.

�I thought today�s meeting was historic in nature,� said Economic Development Portfolio Chief Gina Deer.  �We can�t stress enough how important it was to have Native Affairs Minister Geoff Kelley, Minister Responsible for the Mont�r�gie Pierre Moreau, and the mayors of the four closest neighboring communities all in attendance to meet and have an open dialogue. Today�s meeting was extremely positive and will help us to better understand each other and work towards creating effective working relationships.�

�There was a clear sense that, if our five communities can work together on certain projects we can bring economic development not only to our communities but to the entire region,� she concluded.

Today�s meeting, hosted by Tewatohnhi�saktha, sets the stage for more specific discussions in the near future. Mayors in attendance were Chateauguay�s Nathalie Simon, Jocelyne Bates of Ste. Catherine, Sylvain Payant of St. Isidore and St. Constant�s Jean-Claude Boyer. Intergovernmental Affairs Portfolio Chief Lloyd and Tewatohnhi�saktha�s Chief Executive Officer John Bud Morris were part of the Kahnaw�:ke delegation.

Interviews conducted by KTV immediately after the meeting concluded are available by clicking here.