Statement from Honourable Peter Bevan-Baker, Leader of the Official Opposition, and Critic for Indigenous Affairs calling for respect of Mi’kmaq right to moderate livelihood

For far too long Aboriginal Peoples have had to fight for recognition of their rights as the first inhabitants of the land now known as Canada. They have been oppressed and dismissed for expecting Canada to honour and respect the treaties and agreements made with them.

In recent years we have talked about reconciliation and what it looks like, but done little to advance it. The time for talking has passed. Now the time has come to put words into action and to do the hard work of reconciliation.

The Marshall Decision of the Supreme Court of Canada reaffirms the Mi’kmaq right to provide a moderate livelihood through such activities as fishing. It is unfair for Mi’kmaq People to face continued intimidation and opposition to this right.

I join my friends at L’Nuey in their expression of support for the Mi’kmaq lobster fishers in Nova Scotia. I also join them in calling on the federal government for immediate action to finally implement the Mi’kmaq right to fish for a moderate livelihood.

Honourable Peter Bevan-Baker, MLA
New Haven-Rocky Point

Leader of the Official Opposition