Mohawk tobacco company looks to manufacture cigarettes in Alberta

Four Winds Tobacco Products Inc., a company registered on Kahnawake, a Mohawk reserve in Quebec, appeared before Newell County council last month to discuss setting up a cigarette manufacturing plant in Brooks. Tom O’Connell, a company consultant, said Four Winds wants to produce cigarettes for export and for three wholesalers in Ontario. The company is looking at Alberta because Quebec has put a moratorium on new tobacco manufacturing, Most tobacco is grown in Ontario but the company would encourage Alberta farmers to grow tobacco. Gary Grant, spokesperson with the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco, said he is concerned the company will make cigarettes that won’t be taxed and is urging the government to not allow Four Winds into Alberta. O’Connell says if cigarettes are sold on First Nation reserves in Alberta, it will only be to registered wholesalers with the Canadian government.