A potential change in focus for the Fort Frances Race Relations Advisory Committee.

The group was formed several years ago to assist with land claims negotiations.

Mayor Andrew Hallikas says the group is looking to expand its role.

He says it could include helping to better the economic relations between the town and area Indigenous communities.

“Engaging with them to try and see where we can work cooperatively to better the First Nations and Fort Frances. All of them collectively spend their money in town,” says Hallikas.

He also sees it being an important source to filling the labour shortage.

“Demographically, the Rainy River District is projected to have its population to continue to decrease over the next ten years but First Nations population is expected to increase 18 per cent.”

Hallikas says the committee will meet in the early new year to discussion areas it would like to focus attention on.