Ottawa (December 3, 2008) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, issued the following statement today:

Our Government is pleased today to introduce amendments to the Indian Oil and Gas Act in the House of Commons.

The proposed amendments will increase the ability of the federal government to regulate and manage oil and gas activities on reserve lands for the benefit of First Nations. Updating the Act will also eliminate the existing regulatory gap and reduce barriers to economic development.

On reserve lands, oil and gas resources represent a significant source of potential capital for around 200 First Nations. The federal government helps First Nations manage and regulate oil and gas activity on reserve lands through Indian Oil and Gas Canada , a special operating agency within Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Unfortunately, the Act has not kept pace with industry changes over the past 34 years, when the Act first came into force.

The amendments to the Act were developed in co-operation with the Indian Resource Council , a First Nations organization that advocates on behalf of oil and gas producing – or potentially producing – First Nations.

Our government looks forward to advancing this bill in the House of Commons and Senate.