Entitlement Funds

The Framework Agreement is the result of an intensive and co-operative effort by Canada, Saskatchewan and the FSIN/AEC to resolve the outstanding Treaty land entitlement of 26 Bands in Saskatchewan. The total amount of settlement funds available to Entitlement Bands under the Framework Agreement is approximately $446 million.

Payment Period

Entitlement Bands will receive their respective portion of the Entitlement Monies over a twelve (12) year period. The amount available varies from Band to Band. These monies will enable the Entitlement Bands to purchase (assuming an average price per acre of approximately $262.00) almost 1.6 million acres of land (the "Entitlement Land") in fulfilment of the Treaty obligation. All purchases are strictly on a "willing seller/willing buyer" basis.

Cost Sharing the Settlement

Canada and Saskatchewan have agreed to cost share payment of the settlement on an initial 70130 basis. Saskatchewan is obligated to reimburse Canada for amounts up to an additional 19 %. Saskatchewan's reimbursement obligations to Canada will be based upon the savings realized by the Province following the transfer of certain northern communities to reserve status. The transfer of these communities will transfer the financial responsibility for such communities from the province to the federal government. The details of the 19% reimbursement procedure are found in the Amended Cost Sharing Agreement.

Tax Loss Funds

Two separate tax loss compensation funds, totalling a maximum of $50 million, were also established under the Framework Agreement. The purpose of the funds is to help offset the loss of tax revenues that will be experienced by Rural Municipalities and Rural School Divisions when taxable land is purchased by Entitlement Bands and thereafter set apart as nontaxable reserve land under the Framework Agreement.

Content of Agreement

The Framework Agreement consists of twenty-two (22) articles, seven (7) schedules and three (3) appendices. As stated above, the Framework Agreement outlines in considerable detail the manner in which the parties have agreed to fulfil outstanding Treaty land entitlement obligations to the Entitlement Bands in Saskatchewan. It is a lengthy and technical legal document.

This summary, on the other hand, is an attempt to give a general overview of the major principles of the Framework Agreement and, where appropriate, some of the intentions of the parties that lead up to the final draft. This summary should not, however, be relied upon as a legal interpretation of the Framework Agreement.

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