Summary
In September 2018, Canada, United States and Mexico signed the CUSMA Trade Agreement to replace the North America Free Trade Agreement. A provision within this agreement recognized First Nation interests and shields a Party against liability under the CUSMA for actions that the Party considers necessary to fulfill its legal obligations to Indigenous peoples. Treaty #3 recognizes that it has held trade as an important component of economic well-being that has spanned many generations. There are three ports of entry into Treaty #3 from the United States, Fort Frances, Rainy River and Sprague, Manitoba. Fort Frances is the second largest port of entry for rail traffic in North America as the rail line passes through Duluth, MN then to Chicago, IL.
Grand Council Treaty #3 recognizes an opportunity to develop a distribution centre in Treaty #3 to capitalize on the newly signed CUSMA agreement and would like to commit the necessary resources to ensure that we have a presence within the confines of this agreement. GCT3 will research, evaluate and procure economic opportunities to build a distribution centre in our region.