CHIEF STEWART C. PAUL DEFENDS TOBIQUE CASINO
BY NINA CHIARELLI
Telegraph-Journal
The video lottery terminals operating on Tobique First Nation aren't any different than ones operating across New
Brunswick, says chief Stewart Paul.
Mr. Paul fired off a stern warning to Liberal MLA T.J. Burke, his own nephew, over comments Mr. Burke has made
concerning the reserve and gaming activing going on there.
The chief said gaming on Tobique reserve is done on VLTs available across New Brunswick and owned by the Atlantic
Lottery Corporation. He said he didn't feel there was any conflict with the reserve and gaming.
"I only know that what has been described as our 'casino' comprises nothing more than the same VLTs, and if that's
illegal, then what does 'legal' mean in terms of this huge parellel operation?" Mr. Paul said.
For the past 10 years, patrons have plunked their change into the VLTs at Lucky's Entertainment Centre on the Tobique
reserve, just outside Perth-Andover. The band-owned business, also known as Tobique High Stakes Bingo, generates
funds for social programs and for the poor. The only problem is the Atlantic Lottery Corporation is the sole legal provider
of VLTs in New Brunswick and Lucky's isn't one of its operators.
Mr. Paul said the VLTs provide an "important source of revenues for meeting many of the critical needs of our
people."
Moreover, he said "the provincial government continues to benefit from the exact same source of revenues."
RCMP spokesman Sgt. Gary Cameron has said police were tipped off to the possible illegal activities several weeks ago
and the force is investigating.
This isn't the first time the RCMP have taken on Lucky's. In the mid-1990s, police charged several employees with
operating an illegal gaming house. In 1996, a provincial judge threw out those charges.
Mr. Paul contended the operation wasn't any different than ALC gaming machines and took Mr. Burke to task for speaking
against his own community.
"My amazement stemmed from the fact that these allegations came from none other than a member of our own
community," Mr. Paul said.
However, Mr. Burke was quick to defend himself. He said as an elected politician he feels its necessary to speak about
what he sees as illegal gambling.
"I think that there's no doubt that the VLT machines provide a source of revenue to the Tobique First Nation. But the
revenue, of course, has to be accoutantable just as provincial gaming machine revenue just as any other place in New
Brunswick has to be accountable.
"What I don't understand is why every other community has to comply with the provincial standards and why one specific
community feels they don't have to comply with those standards," Mr. Burke said.
BY NINA CHIARELLI
Telegraph-Journal
The video lottery terminals operating on Tobique First Nation aren't any different than ones operating across New
Brunswick, says chief Stewart Paul.
Mr. Paul fired off a stern warning to Liberal MLA T.J. Burke, his own nephew, over comments Mr. Burke has made
concerning the reserve and gaming activing going on there.
The chief said gaming on Tobique reserve is done on VLTs available across New Brunswick and owned by the Atlantic
Lottery Corporation. He said he didn't feel there was any conflict with the reserve and gaming.
"I only know that what has been described as our 'casino' comprises nothing more than the same VLTs, and if that's
illegal, then what does 'legal' mean in terms of this huge parellel operation?" Mr. Paul said.
For the past 10 years, patrons have plunked their change into the VLTs at Lucky's Entertainment Centre on the Tobique
reserve, just outside Perth-Andover. The band-owned business, also known as Tobique High Stakes Bingo, generates
funds for social programs and for the poor. The only problem is the Atlantic Lottery Corporation is the sole legal provider
of VLTs in New Brunswick and Lucky's isn't one of its operators.
Mr. Paul said the VLTs provide an "important source of revenues for meeting many of the critical needs of our
people."
Moreover, he said "the provincial government continues to benefit from the exact same source of revenues."
RCMP spokesman Sgt. Gary Cameron has said police were tipped off to the possible illegal activities several weeks ago
and the force is investigating.
This isn't the first time the RCMP have taken on Lucky's. In the mid-1990s, police charged several employees with
operating an illegal gaming house. In 1996, a provincial judge threw out those charges.
Mr. Paul contended the operation wasn't any different than ALC gaming machines and took Mr. Burke to task for speaking
against his own community.
"My amazement stemmed from the fact that these allegations came from none other than a member of our own
community," Mr. Paul said.
However, Mr. Burke was quick to defend himself. He said as an elected politician he feels its necessary to speak about
what he sees as illegal gambling.
"I think that there's no doubt that the VLT machines provide a source of revenue to the Tobique First Nation. But the
revenue, of course, has to be accoutantable just as provincial gaming machine revenue just as any other place in New
Brunswick has to be accountable.
"What I don't understand is why every other community has to comply with the provincial standards and why one specific
community feels they don't have to comply with those standards," Mr. Burke said.
| Ex chief Stewart C Paul wins Liberal candidacy Shaking hands with ex MP Andy Savoy who once lived less than 4Km from this unnaccounted casino. |
| Pictured at (R) are T J's uncle Liberal Candidate Lawyer/ ex Chief Stewart Paul, ex (L) MP Andy Savoy, ex (L) Prime Minister Paul Martin 2005 Liberal convention. |
| Poor & unemployed community members wanna know ... Why did you recieve cheques from this alleged illegal casino T J Burke? "There is nothing that makes me prouder than being able to stand up for people who have been wronged. I consider it a social responsibility." T.J.Burke We have been wronged! The Liberals say the government is ignoring alleged illegal gambling at a casino in Tobique First Nation. More info... "Liberal Aboriginal Affairs critic T.J. Burke says it's obvious that the Tobique First Nation is operating a casino in defiance of provincial law." |
| Gomery Inquiry eh? A breeding ground for Liberal Politicians - Liberals Sen. Sandra Lovelace, Attorney General T J Burke, MP Candidate & ex Chief Stewart C Paul & former MP Andy Savoy have Tobique in common. One of the only places on earth with an unaccounted casino as many years as they were in power. "I believe that it's illuminated in neon lights– Lucky's Casino is the name" T J Burke, for over a decade. So why are we in Third Party for the third time with a skyrocketing deficit ratio & three suicides? And where did all of this money go intended for poor and social programs? We now have a few more questions ... |
| A Forensic Investigation has been requested for years. Now we know why it hasnt been called! For poor and social programs "Mr. Paul fired off a stern warning to Liberal MLA T.J. Burke, his own nephew, over comments Mr. Burke has made concerning the reserve and gaming activity going on there." MORE "The Liberals say the government is ignoring alleged illegal gambling at a casino in TFN" 2004 T.J. Burke also has another complaint with the way the government is dealing with the issue. He says Patrick Francis, the deputy minister of aboriginal affairs, is a former chief of the Tobique First Nation. That, says Burke, puts Francis in a conflict of interest when dealing with the casino file. MORE Tobique Chief denies allegations of misspending; DFO won't investigate 2001 If it's properly run and managed [it] can generate jobs and income and supplement and help with our backlog, our housing shortage, our social problems our economic problems. The way I look at it, it's a benefit to the reserve as a whole." MORE Well over 100 Million dollars in 6 years alone and we are still well over 15 Million in the RED. With a population of approximately 1900 (not 100) and at least 70% unemployed. MORE Elders close casino over allegations of band mismanagement 2000 Their protest began early Monday morning as more than 40 people stormed the band office, upset because the chief and councillors have recently decided to give themselves salaries of $1,000 a week. Meanwhile, elders on the reserve had just been told their monthly support cheques would soon be eliminated. MORE Edited Parliamentary Hansard 1999 Mr. Gilles Bernier (Tobique—Mactaquac, PC): Mr. Speaker, members of the Tobique First Nation are fed up. The department of Indian affairs transfers $13 million annually to the Tobique band council, yet the council has recently run up a $10 million deficit. MORE Current chief When New England lawmakers found out about the operation last week, after a New Brunswick newspaper broke the story later picked up by New England newspapers, they vowed to act quickly to put an end to the operation. MORE Ex chief 1997 Bernard was helping finance the election campaign MORE This is just the tip of the iceburg! |
| TAXPAYERS! OVER $100 MIL in 5 years just here! |