By paNOW

Northern mayor responds to lawsuit

Jan 30, 2014 | 4:57 AM

Pinehouse Mayor Mike Natomagan said he was caught completely caught off guard when he received word that the village was being sued by Briar Patch Magazine.

The magazine took the action in response to what they claim were failed attempts to obtain financial documents from the northern village. The information concerns the community’s collaboration agreements with Areva and Cameco. The magazine has received support from the privacy commissioner but so far the northern village has not complied.

“I don’t think we had ever said no to anybody, but it’s going to take time – it’s a process,” said Natomagan.

The mayor could not provide specific details when the village might produce documents, explaining the request is quite large, and the village receives no additional funding to hire more staff. He said they simply need more time. In the meantime the community is facing a court challenge.

“It’s really uncalled for but I guess it’s something we will have to deal with,” said Natomagan.

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The agreements with Areva and Cameco were signed in 2012. Community leaders were looking for a better way of life, to address issues such as housing, education, and employment.

“You know we are the second poorest region in Canada. We need to do something. Our education is not up to par with the main stream,” said Natomagan.

When asked what he thought was the source behind the request, Natomagan said he believed it was a group of individuals in the community who ran against him in the last election.

“They will never be satisfied; they have the right to ask for it and we just have to deal with it,” he said.

According to Natomagan, these are the same individuals who raised a stink, when the community was in talks with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, regarding being a host site for a nuclear waste storage facility.

A statement of claim has been filed at Court of Queen’s Bench in Regina.

The mayor has 20 days to respond.

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell