OTTAWA--"Fisheries Minister Anderson has placed his department above the law when he claims that the decision striking down the native commercial fishery can be ignored," said John Cummins, M.P. (Delta-South Richmond).

The Minister "has decided to proceed" with the native commercial fishery because he "believes the regulations...are entirely legal and above board."

Surely the judge's decision speaks for itself:

"[T]he Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations purporting to authorize an aboriginal commercial fishery for the Musgueam, Burrard and Tsawwassen Indian Bands have no legal validity and are therefore null and void.

...I therefore conclude that the purported opening of the aboriginal commercial fishery from October 26 to October 28, 1995 by either the Aboriginal Communal License, or by variation order, was a nullity. The result, in my view, is that the fishery was not lawfully open to anyone..."

Judge Thomas re-affirmed the position taken in his judgement when he refused to impose sanctions or penalties against Cummins.

Anderson's claim ignores the effect of the decision and shows contempt for our system of justice.