To conserve stocks the Fraser River has been closed to all fishing since early August. The Cheam Band refuses to comply with the closure and has fished, accompanied by an armed militia.

The armed militia has been active since the illegal fishing began. On occasion it has taken armed positions on the catwalk of the Agassiz Bridge.

The local R.C.M.P. detachment has been ordered to ignore the illegal activity. It will not be enforcing the Criminal Code unless specifically authorized and directed to do so.

Fisheries and Oceans refuses to actively patrol the area. By what appears to be a quiet agreement, the department might occasionally -- at the end of a fishing day -- confiscate a few nets and issue a few tickets.

The Sto:lo are funded by the Department of Fisheries to provide catch monitoring. The band is funded directly by Indian Affairs. The militia has apparently been trained and possibly equipped by a federal jobs training program.

The Department of Fisheries is refusing to take direct action to bring an end to the illegal fishing. The Department puts a priority on neither the protection of fish stocks nor the enforcement of its own closure of the Fraser. The R.C.M.P. ignores an armed militia.

"Public confidence in the Department of Fisheries and the R.C.M.P. is eroded when they choose to ignore continued lawlessness by the Cheam band and its armed militia."