Pallister overstepping on smoking and VLTs, chief says

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This article was published 19/06/2020 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IF Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister really cared about First Nations, he’d help them access health care rather than meddle in their affairs by calling for a ban on powwows and smoking in VLT lounges, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization says.

“That goes beyond his jurisdiction,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, leader of the independent alliance that represents 34 First Nations in southern Manitoba.

When Pallister first outlined the Phase 3 draft plan to restore services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he brought up the issue of First Nations-run gaming facilities that allow smoking. The plan, to take effect June 21, includes reopening VLT lounges and halls at non-smoking sites.

“Although we are in this phase, planning to reopen VLT facilities, we are not proceeding to reopen smoking VLT facilities,” Pallister said June 11. “We’ve worked too hard” to protect the health of Manitobans by preventing the spread of COVID-19 to see it jeopardized by smoking in First Nations gaming facilities, the premier said.

Pallister said his ministers are in contact with all First Nations leaders to work together to eliminate risks associated with smoking and second-hand smoke in gaming facilities, VLT facilities and bingo halls. He applauded First Nations leadership who have “effectively kept COVID cases almost non-existent.”

“That is tremendous work and why? To protect the health and well-being of First Nations residents and their families. We need to do the same now” with a smoking ban in gaming centres.

Prohibiting smoking in all gaming facilities is part of Pallister’s March 3 mandate letter to Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton. It also directs him to commission a provincial gaming review to assess the structure and size of the gaming industry in Manitoba.

A spokesperson for Wharton said health, not going after First Nations gaming or tobacco revenue, is at the heart of the issue.

“This is simply about public health and safety for all Manitobans. While all VLT siteholder agreements since 2006 do not permit smoking, earlier arrangements in 27 sites still permit smoking. Modernization to eliminate smoking at all facilities is overdue. This change is fully consistent with broader policies on smoking that have been in place for almost 15 years in public spaces, work spaces and other venues,” Wharton’s spokesperson said.

“Throughout this process, we will continue to meaningfully engage and work collaboratively with the leadership of our First Nation communities. Obviously, we share common goals and objectives to provide a healthier environment for everyone.”

First Nations across Canada and the U.S have said provinces and states have no jurisdiction or authority over how they choose to operate.

“We inherited these rules which allow smoking,” Pallister said June 11, referring to the former NDP government. “We need to get rid of them. This is the time to do it.”

On Thursday, Daniels said Pallister was taking a patronizing attitude in both tobacco rebates and VLTs, which he said infringes on areas of jurisdiction First Nations have never surrendered to Ottawa or the province.

“He is trying to assume control and assume sovereignty, and I don’t think that has any credibility when it comes to creating covenants between nations and between peoples,” Daniels told the Free Press.

“The fact he wants to impose or create uncertainty around the jurisdiction just reflects the kind of reconciliation that he has in mind, and that is that First Nations are subordinate to his decision-making and his decisions process,” Daniels said.

“And that’s a terrible, terrible future if you want to create the lasting reconciliation that we all need and require in this region.”

— with files from Dylan Robertson

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca