Bloyce Thompson, P.E.I.'s minister of justice and public safety, says RCMP are working with Island First Nations... Photo: Saltwire

RCMP working alongside First Nations in P.E.I. during moderate livelihood fishery opening, negotiations: minister

CANADA
Wednesday, May 04, 2022, 07:00 (GMT + 9)

The Mounties have been working with the Island's First Nations during the process of establishing moderate livelihood fisheries.

Bloyce Thompson, P.E.I.'s minister of justice and public safety, noted this collaboration during question period in the legislative assembly on April 29.

Thompson spoke in response to a question from opposition leader Peter Bevan-Baker about what Thompson's department is doing to protect Indigenous fishers, given the violence that took place after the opening of moderate livelihood fisheries in Nova Scotia in 2020.

“RCMP has been working very closely with First Nations on this to ensure the safety of all Islanders and ensure a good relationship," Thompson said.

Lennox Island First Nation, one of two bands in P.E.I., announced on April 28, it would begin a moderate livelihood fishery, despite not reaching an agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Photo: Lennox Island First Nation

Abegweit First Nation, however, announced on April 29, it will not be following Lennox Island immediately but will continue its own process and negotiations until they reach community consensus.

The 1999 Supreme Court Marshall Decision affirmed the rights of Mi'kmaq to fish for a moderate livelihood. The federal government, however, has never defined what this means.

In spring of 2021, DFO announced it would regulate moderate livelihood fisheries and limit them to the commercial season, a move rejected by many regional First Nations representatives.

Author / Source: Logan MacLean / Saltwire

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