CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT ON FORESTRY RELATED MATTERS

BETWEEN
THE LISTUGUJ MI’GMAQ BAND COUNCIL, represented by its chief, Ronald Jacques (hereinafter referred to as Listuguj),

AND
THE GOUVERNEMENT DU QUÉBEC, represented by Guy Chevrette, Minister of State for Natural Resources and Minister for Native Affairs (hereinafter referred to as Québec).

WHEREAS this contribution agreement does not define, limit, acknowledge or create ancestral rights or treaty rights, and it does not adversely affect them. Nor should it be interpreted as an agreement or a treaty within the meaning of section 35 of the Constitution Act 1982.

WHEREAS Listuguj wishes to establish conditions favourable to the economic development of its community;

WHEREAS Listuguj wishes to play a greater role in the development and management of natural resources;

WHEREAS, in its newly published guidelines on Native Affairs, entitled Partnership, Development, Achievement, 1998, Québec has clearly established its open mindedness and its willingness to promote greater participation by Native communities in economic and community development, notably through their involvement in the development and management of resources;

WHEREAS Québec is favourable to the conclusion of agreements with the Listuguj Micmac community.

The parties agree as follows:

1. The above preamble is an integral part of this memorandum of understanding.
2. Object of the memorandum of understanding
   
   To promote economic development and job creation in the Listuguj community, through the development of natural resources.
3. Terms and conditions
   
   

   3.1	Québec, in cooperation with Listuguj Micmac authorities, recognizes immediate implementation of the forest management contract concluded with Listuguj the 30th July, 1998. In this convention, Québec entrusts Listuguj with the management of forest areas totalling about 7,000 ha which results in harvest of 10,500 m³ of timber annually.Therefore, this agreement becomes a means to generate the equivalent of 1,500 person-days of work and the sale of the resulting products represents an approximate value of a $525,000 F.O.B. (sawmill) tax excluded.
   3.2	Québec will promote the creation of conditions facilitating the work related to the implementation of the forest management contract. To that effect, Québec will pay to Listuguj an amount of $50,000, notably to acheive the preparation of the forest management plan and other related documents.
   3.3	Québec will promote the Listuguj community’s involvement in the carrying of economic projects notably by considering the possibility of increasing the volumes specified in the forest management contract. To that effect, Québec will provide Listuguj, before september 30 1998, with scenarios in line with the objectives of the present article.
   3.4	Québec will facilitate Listuguj’s access to the various forestry training programs aimed as developing the know-how and expertise require to create partnerships in this sector. To that effect, Québec will make available 2 specialists from the society Rexfor during a one month period to train up to 50 micmac forest workers.In order to assure the effective progress and the follow-up of the training program, Québec will provide the necessary ressources to accompany the Lustuguj community workers, this support representing a value of $1,000/worker.
   3.5	Québec will support Listuguj’s efforts to obtain forest work from forest companies including the cutting, yearly, of around 10,000 m³ representing 1,500 person-days of work.
   3.6	Québec will support Listuguj in its steps to contract silvicultural works with forest enterprises. Those contracts will be in adition to the 170 hectares representing some $160,000 and already covered by an agreement with a forest compagny of the region.
   3.7	Québec will set up, with the collaboration of Rexfor, a special job creation program being initially carried out within the C.A.F. territory and that may represent 400 person-days.
   3.8	Québec will facilitate the general follow-up of this agreement; in this regard, a representative of the gouvernement du Québec will be named for a six month period.

   
   
4. Duration and evaluation of the Agreement
   
   

   4.1	Subject to the restriction in paragraph 3.8 above, this contribution agreement is valid for a period of 12 months and shall come into effect on the date on which it is signed by the parties.
   4.2	After a six month period of application, the agreement will be assessed by both parties and adjusted, if required, subject to mutual consent.