Premier Stephen McNeil says that in order for a resolution in the dispute between commercial and Mi’kmaq fishers to be found clarification is needed from the federal government.
During Tuesday’s provincial COVID-19 briefing McNeil took a question on the ongoing dispute and said, “DFO needs to lead the conversation and they need to get both parties in the same room so they can find a solution that satisfies all parties.”
In order to do this, the Premier says clarification is required on what the term “moderate livelihood” means in relation to the Peace and Friendship Treaty which ensures First Nation’s people have a right to fish.
McNeil wants a resolution soon as the longer dispute goes on he expects tensions will to continue to rise, “The parties need to understand each other’s perspectives in order for progress to be made.”
McNeil’s comments laid most of the responsibility at the feet of the DFO and in a Facebook post McNeil said “The province recognizes and supports the legal, constitutional Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Mi’kmaq, and while many of the details surrounding the nature and extent of those rights are not clear, clarification is best addressed through open and respectful dialogue.”
Meanwhile, DFO Minister Bernadette Jordan has not provided an update on the situation since September 18, when she posted a letter in which she invited both parties to meet with her to try and collaborate on a solution.
