MLCN Kaskew partners with BC forestry company
- EFN Staff | September 14, 2017
Montreal Lake Business Ventures has created a long-term partner that will provide employment opportunities for the community. Saskatchewan’s Kaskew Forestry Products, which is owned by the Montreal Lake organization, recently signed a ten-year softwood supply agreement with BC’s Carrier Forest Products. Kaskew will provide local employees, licensing, and rights to harvest, while Carrier will look after all the planning and operations.
“We are pleased to be announcing this agreement with our long-term partner, Carrier Forest Products,” said Robert Fincati, CEO of Montreal Lake Business Ventures in a press release. “Carrier is a proven company that has built a reputation for operating innovative and profitable sawmills in British Columbia and Saskatchewan. This deal provides continued stability for our subsidiary company, Kaskew Forestry Products, which allows Montreal Lake Business Ventures to continue growing and fulfilling our mandate of wealth creation as well as creating enhanced business and employment opportunities for members of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation.”
Bill Kordyban President of Carrier Forest Products Ltd. said their family-run company shares many values with Montreal Lake Cree Nation and are proud of their 22-year relationship with each other.
“Montreal Lake possesses relevant traditional knowledge, a secure timber supply and a pool of local workers,” said Koryban. “By working together, this allows us to provide a stable supply and high-quality product for our customers, as well as positive economic opportunities for a local community. This agreement is the next chapter in what has been a very successful partnership and we look forward to continuing to work with Montreal Lake for the next ten years and beyond to secure the future as a resource industry in Canada that’s dependable.”
Carrier Forest Products first came into Saskatchewan in the mid-90s where they were looking for people to work in its operations in the area. That was when they partnered with Montreal Lake to find employees.
Both organizations are shareholders of Sakâw Askiy Management Inc., a partnership of six forest companies with Saskatchewan operations and two First Nations. Under the Prince Albert Forest Management Agreement, the Province had provided a 240,000-cubic meter allocation to Montreal Lake Cree Nation which is located right in the commercial forest area. This opportunity will provide long term benefits for the community and as well as a chance to participate in the local forestry industry.