Fisheries and Oceans: Dhaliwal Makes Statement on Marshall Case Ruling

Canadian Press
Monday, September 20, 1999

OTTAWA, ONTARIO. Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, has issued a Statement on the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in the Marshall Case.

Following is the text of his statement.

Statement by Herb Dhaliwal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in the Marshall Case

The decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in the Marshall case is an important decision that affirms certain rights of the Mi'kmaq flowing from historical Treaties with the Crown. As a result of this decision, we will have to consider a number of fundamental questions about the management of the fishery and how to address them appropriately.

We are working with other federal departments to analyze the implications of the decision. As soon as we have completed our preliminary review, we will engage in dialogue with aboriginal communities, provincial governments and other stakeholders in the fisheries.

I was heartened to hear the clear commitment to conservation and to cooperation expressed by Mi'kmaq Chiefs at their press conference following the Supreme Court's decision on Friday. My officials have been in touch with a number of Mi'kmaq community leaders to assure them of our willingness to work together.

With the principles of conservation and cooperation to guide us, our objective is to achieve an effective management regime which respects the Supreme Court decision and is fair to other interests in the fisheries. In the meantime, I call on all participants and interests in the fishery to show good will and to exercise patience and restraint so that we can achieve that objective.

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