WOLASTOQEY TERRITORY – The revelation that the Higgs government wants to slash royalty rates for large-scale forestry companies is being decried as hypocrisy by the Six Chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation.

The dramatic cut to forestry royalty rates will save big industry as much as $50 million, according to CBC New Brunswick, a figure the Higgs government claimed it can’t afford when it comes to reimbursing First Nations for HST revenue.

“Blaine Higgs is ramming through retroactive savings to his forestry friends at a rate not dissimilar to what he said he couldn’t afford to spare to maintain essential services in our communities,” said Chief Ross Perley of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation).

“This is the same government that said the $44 million revenue sharing agreement that supports education and social services on First Nations was ‘unsustainable and unfair,’ before unilaterally and prematurely cutting it,” added Chief Gabriel Atwin of Bilijk (Kingsclear First Nation).

“Now he’s offering up natural resources on our territory, the forests that are enjoyed by all who call New Brunswick home, at a fire sale price that benefits his corporate bosses at the expense of New Brunswickers and Indigenous people,” said Chief Patricia Bernard of Matawaskiye (Madawaska First Nation).

“What will it take for someone within the Higgs caucus to step up and stop the premier from running amuck over our nation and this province to further enrich his friends?” asked Chief Allan Polchies Jr. of Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation).

The Six Chiefs encourage community members and New Brunswickers to write to the contact listed for input on the royalty rate change and respectfully object to this unjustified loss of provincial revenue in favour of massive corporations.

Media contact:

Logan Perley media@wolastoqey.ca