SaskParty trying ot pull a fast one with proposed Casino sale to FSIN

RE: privatization.

Of course it is that, as well as an attempt to smear the NDP on an issue they have supported, and divide opposition.

As for the sale, even the NDP aren't absolutely opposed to it, and really it depends on what is actually for sale. SIGA operates casinos already, but SLGA still owns the machines.

I'd prefer actual resource or royalty sharing, but if this is the way it is going to happen, I'm not going to say no to something which provides greater economic oppportunity and autonomy to First Nations. This may technically be privatization, but it is actually transferring ownership to a non-profit corporation owned by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.In that sense, it is actually transfer of a crown to another government. It is not just a "FN Enterprise".

The main problem I have (aside from the political ploy) is that this have a fair consultation process.

Is this a trap? Of course it is. The way to not fall into that trap is not to approach this situation in a reactionary and dogmatic way. The reaction is exactly what Wall is hoping to get with this.

SIGA is a charitable non-profit corporation. 50% goes to First Nations communities, 25% goes to local Community Development corporations, and 25% goes into provincial general revenue.

http://www.siga.sk.ca/about-us/structure/

Regarding gambling and other economic opportunities, those are all good questions, and I'd rather see sharing of resource revenue too, as would many people (and the NDP have said so). But the fact is this is one area where First Nations already HAVE power in this province and I'd rather see that grow than nothing at all. And aside from the growth of urban reserves, there aren't all that many bright spots.

But to turn it around, how would you propose giving FN a share of something without having it remain effectively under the control of white government ? That is to say, something we just dole out to them but still control, and that can be taken away just as easily as it is granted and which they don't have any real power over at all?

Or how is a deal over something other than gambling any different? It would still be a sale or transfer of public assets. Thing is, I have always considered FNs to be communities, governments just as legitimate as our own,  and therefore de facto public.

I object to you just casting this as business. The fact is it is owned by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. As such, this is as close to an actual government as they have. Either we treat them as a government, autonomous, and capable of managing a public resource for the good of the people or we don't. I do. The alternative is keeping them and their entire economy under the control of the province.

And while yes, I also see this as not the best sector, it is one which FNs have already actively embraced, and which makes money. So aside from the fact this is a trap that one doesn't want to simply walk into blindly I, like Cam Broten, am willing to be convinced on the core issue.

In fact, I have no problem in principle with transfer of public assets to another level of government, especially one which has always been shut out from real power.