Federal Court - Christian Aboriginal Infrastructure Developments ...

Page: 237
[905] Throughout 1998, the Plaintiffs kept DIAND advised of problems with wood supply. As a
result of the wood shortage the mill closed in December 1998. In January 1999, there was a meeting
between The Town of Watson Lake, SYFC, Finning, YTG and DIAND.
[906] After this meeting, Mr. Kerr wrote a letter, dated January 26 th , to Mr. Sewell stating that he
felt that DIAND understood the importance of SYFC to Yukon. This letter was entered as Exhibit
2010 FC 495 (CanLII)
P-79, Tab 102.
[907] Another result of this meeting was an exchange of letters between Finning and Mr. Sewell.
The response from Mr. Sewell to Finning was dated February 8 th . It was entered as Exhibit P-79,
Tab 109. In his response Mr. Sewell advised Finning, an equipment supplier to and financier of the
joint venturer’s mill, that “[w]e share your enthusiasm for a successful project, and look forward to
working closely with you and the other key players to achieve this end.”
[908] There was continuing correspondence between the Plaintiffs and the Defendant between
January and March 1999, addressing the issue of wood supply. By letter dated February 16, 1999,
Ms. Guscott wrote to Mr. Brian Kerr of SYFC, following up on a meeting held on February 16 th .
This letter was entered as Exhibit D-81, Tab 33. In that letter, she said the following:
We will continue to provide you information on following areas of
concern as soon as available:
• summer wood supply
• the process and timing for Timber Harvesting Agreements