MP Calls For Peaceful Resolution To Fishery Dispute

A New Brunswick MP says he has been horrified by the “violence, intimidation, racism, and property destruction” seen during a fishery dispute in southwestern Nova Scotia.

“I think it’s a concern for certainly all Canadians when you see that type of situation, an untenable situation, unfolding between commercial fishers and Indigenous fishers,” said Wayne Long, the Liberal MP for Saint John-Rothesay.

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.

Long is calling on the government and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to sit down with Indigenous and commercial fishers to reach an agreement.

“When you see mob mentality and confrontation, I think it’s incumbent on all levels of government to step in and make sure, number one, a solution is found, and number two, that people feel safe.”

The Mi’kmaq have a constitutionally protected right to fish for a moderate livelihood, which was affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada in two well-known Marshall decisions 21 years ago.

But Long said successive governments have failed to work with the Mi’kmaq people to define and implement the right.

“I think the Supreme Court ruling, unfortunately, was vague and led to a lot of interpretation as to what was moderate living,” he said.

Long said the government also needs to ensure laws are being followed, enforce Supreme Court decisions, and make sure people are safe.

The MP said he is happy to see more RCMP officers being brought in to “put a stop to this anti-Indigenous violence and hold those responsible for it accountable for their actions.”

Several Liberal cabinet ministers and the NDP are calling for an emergency debate in the House of Commons over the fishery dispute, and Long said he would be supportive of that.