$20 million settlement to be voted on

Pasqua First Nation members will soon get the opportunity to vote on a proposed $20 million settlement agreement. The one-time payout of $20,622,278.00 is compensation for past, present and future damages caused by the unauthorized flooding of the reserve lands and a structure to provide for water management levels in the future. It also provides for an addition to reserve component to compensate for those lands that will be subjected to a designation for easement. The vote is to take place within 72 days of the signing of the agreement between Pasqua First Nation Chief Todd Peigan and federal and provincial representatives, which occurred July 10. The Pasqua First Nation is the last First Nation in the Qu’Appelle Valley to finalize an agreement and if the terms of the final settlement are approved by members then Saskatchewan Water Security Agency will manage water levels and water quality at Pasqua Lake.