Students will be able to resume classes at an Edmundston, N.B., high school without disruption, says the chief of a First Nation that threatened to stage a protest at the school.
The Madawaska Maliseet First Nation threatened to prevent students from using part of the Cité des Jeunes school that is located on its land if the provincial government didn't sign a deal regarding highway access ramps in the area.
The First Nation owns about half of the land where the high school is located and the province's five-year lease on the property has run out.
Chief Joanna Bernard initially refused to sign a new lease and said if the government wanted a new lease it would have to build highway access ramps to another property owned by the First Nation.
The First Nation wants to develop land in the area and says it needs the access ramps constructed if it is to attract business.
Bernard met with four government ministers on Thursday morning to discuss the dispute.
A new agreement has not yet been signed but a verbal commitment was given that the school year, which begins on Sept. 2, will not be interrupted, said a government spokesperson.
"School will start no problem. There is no issue there," Bernard said.
Bernard said the First Nation will continue negotiating with the government regarding the Trans-Canada Highway ramps.
"We are negotiating now so the line of communication is open, so things are going to be OK," Bernard said.