The Lac La Ronge Indian Band has seized the assets of a local retailer for back taxes owing of more than $3 million.
Band officials closed down Meechewin Place on Thursday which is located on one of the La Ronge reserves.
The store and gas bar was operated by Henry McKenzie.
According to a press release, in April 2019, the band obtained a judgement in court against McKenzie of the amount of just under $3,064,000.
Anil Pandila, the band’s lawyer for the case, said this issue has been ongoing since 2016.
“Back in 2016, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band commenced legal action against him because he had reneged on his obligations to remit the band’s share to them,” he said,
The First Nation said it has repeatedly tried to negotiate a settlement of the debt owing with McKenzie but to no avail.
Pandila said the band is working on getting the money they were granted in the judgement.
“My clients have taken the first steps towards re-cooping what they can on the judgement by seizing the assets owned by Mr. McKenzie, that being Meechewin Place, and they’ll take it from there.”
He explained no criminal charges will be laid as it’s a civil case.
The band said money remitted for fuel and gas taxes is used for community purposes.
Pandila said the band is unsure what they will do with the building as of now.
He said in previous cases similar to this one, the band has gone in and run the store.
(PHOTO: Meechewin Place was closed down on Thursday for back taxes owing of more than $3 million. Photo courtesy Deb Charles.)