Formalizes the process for engagement and consultation
Toronto, ON – October 14, 2010 — The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and Union Gas Limited, a Spectra Energy company, today signed an agreement that will guide their future working relationship in Ontario.
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| Julie Dill, President of Union Gas and Gary Lipinski, MNO President. |
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| Doug Carr, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs; Gary Lipinski, MNO President and Julie Dill, President of Union Gas. |
“Based on province-wide consultations with Métis communities on the duty to consult in 2007, the MNO’s leadership was directed to establish positive working relationships with companies like Union Gas in order to guide future engagement and consultation with regional Métis communities in Ontario. I am very pleased that the MNO was able to sign a relationship agreement with Union Gas and I applaud Union Gas’s pro-active efforts in working with the Métis Nation,” said MNO President Gary Lipinski.
The agreement formalizes the process for engagement and consultation between Union Gas and regional Métis communities in Ontario on construction projects occurring within Métis traditional homelands in the province.
“Union Gas strives to be the partner of choice for communities and that includes building long-term productive relationships with citizens of the Métis Nation based on mutual respect and economic opportunity,” said Union Gas President, Julie Dill. “That’s why we are thrilled to be entering into this new partnership.”
The two-year agreement reflects the MNO and Union Gas’s ongoing efforts to work together in a forward-looking, productive and transparent manner. It builds on the process for Union Gas to make use of the MNO’s consultation framework in order to engage and consult Métis communities as early as possible in the planning for projects that have the potential to impact their traditional way of life, in areas such as hunting, fishing and harvesting of medicinal plants and herbs.
Union Gas also seeks to identify business development and procurement opportunities that assist Aboriginal peoples by creating jobs, introducing training opportunities or addressing the social or economic needs of a particular community. For more information visit: www.uniongas.com/community.
About the Métis Nation of Ontario
The MNO democratically represents Métis people and Métis communities in Ontario through a province-wide governance structure at the local, regional and provincial levels. The MNO has also developed a province-wide framework for ensuring effective consultation with Métis communities throughout the province, which is supported by the Ontario Government’s New Relationship Fund.
About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with nearly 100 years of experience and service to customers. The distribution business serves 1.3 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. A Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company, Union Gas has assets of $5 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. Visit www.uniongas.com for more information.
Contact
Métis Nation of Ontario
Melanie Paradis
Director of Lands, Resources and Community Relations
Phone: 1-800-263-4889
MelanieP@metisnation.org
Union Gas Limited
Andrea Stass
Manager, Media Relations
Ph: 519 436-5490
Cell: 519 365-1010
astass@uniongas.com