Delta-South Richmond
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John Cummins, M.P. Delta-South Richmond |
News Release |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 1999
Government Unsure Whether Marshall Includes Non-Status Natives
OTTAWA--"The government today admitted that it has no idea if the Marshall decision of the Supreme Court of Canada applies to non-status natives," said John Cummins, M.P. (Delta-South Richmond).Today in the Commons, the Hon. Ralph Goodale, Minister Responsible for Metis and Non-Status Natives, described the words of the Supreme Court as "not totally precise in defining exactly who all the potential beneficiaries of the historic treaties would be". Goodale was responding to a question from Cummins on the government's understanding of the position of non-status natives as a result of Marshall.
He said that the government's special representative went to the Maritimes to discuss the meaning of Marshall with all parties, implying the discussions would be held with non-status natives as well as those who are covered by the Indian Act.
If the government believes that non-status natives are included then it ought to stop misleading fishermen as to how much of the fishery they will lose access to as a result of Marshall. It now is negotiating the entrance of only status natives to the fishery. The inclusion of non-status natives would triple the number of new entrants and the demand for fish that they have a preferential right to.
"The fact that the government is unclear as to who is a beneficiary of the special treaty rights defined in Marshall is a reminder of the need for it to join with the West Nova Fishermen's Coalition to seek clarification from the Court," said Cummins.
-30-For more information, please contact:
John Cummins, M.P.
(604) 940-8040 or 970-0937 (cell)