New Brunswick’s Green Party leader has waded into a dispute involving commercial and Indigenous fishers in Nova Scotia.
Tensions have been rising in recent weeks after Mi’kmaq fishers launched a moderate livelihood fishery in St. Mary’s Bay.
Commercial fishers raided lobster pounds last week in response to what they say is an illegal, out-of-season fishery by the Mi’kmaq.
One of those lobster holding facilities in the community of Middle West Pubnico was destroyed in a suspicious fire over the weekend
On Twitter, David Coon said Indigenous people in the Maritimes have the right to earn a living from fishing.
Indigenous people in the Maritimes have the right to earn a living from fishing. It is the law of the land, affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada. I condemn the hooliganism and intimidation suffered by the Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia, who are fishing under their own management plan.
— David Coon (@DavidCCoon) October 18, 2020
He condemned “the hooliganism and intimidation” suffered by the Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia, saying they are fishing under their own management plan.
Coon called on the federal government to “do their jobs,” saying the prime minister has a responsibility to ensure Mi’kmaq fishers can go about their business in peace.
He said Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan must ensure the Sipekne’katik fisheries plan is conservation-minded.
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