• Province must provide justification for bowing to illegal pressure tactics

REGINA/CALGARY: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling the Clearwater River Dene Nation's roadblock of Highway 995 near La Loche "legalized extortion."

On Friday, August 27, band members blocked the road leading to the Cluff Lake uranium mine demanding jobs for members during the decommissioning of the mine. The Band has now agreed to dismantle the blockade in exchange for jobs and training at the site.

"The people of Saskatchewan deserve to know why our government is rewarding this group's illegal pressure tactics by brokering a deal with Cogema," said Tanis Fiss, CTF director for the Center for Aboriginal Policy Change. "This sends a clear message that extortion will be rewarded in Saskatchewan, that the government will not stand up and enforce the law. The people need to know why this decision was taken."

"Premier Calvert has set a dangerous precedent by caving in to these tactics," added CTF Saskatchewan director David MacLean. "Our government needs to stand up and refuse to be held hostage by native groups, or any other group that chooses to adopt illegal practices."

The CTF and their Centre for Aboriginal Policy Change advocates that all Canadians be treated equally before and under the law.