law and order

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

“The violence and intimidation in Southwest Nova Scotia must be stopped and denounced by all. This continuing anarchy represents a failure by two levels of government to protect law and order”

– Thomas Trappenberg, leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia

The heinous acts of intimidation, violence and property damage by some commercial fishers against indigenous people in the ongoing dispute over the livable fisheries must be met with the full force of the law.

The Green Party of Nova Scotia denounces the violence in Pubnico yesterday that saw a mob destroy a building, set fire to a vehicle and that endangered a man’s safety. We demand that the criminals responsible be identified, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and that the RCMP explain why no arrests were made despite being present during the incident they characterized as “mischief”.

This latest act of mob rule surrounding the livable fishery dispute represents a failure by two levels of government, and stains the reputation of many commercial fishermen who continue to respect law and order. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) under minister Bernadette Jordan has completely failed to make clear under what specific conditions the Mi’kmaq Nation can apply its Treaty Rights to a Livable Fishery, which some cite as the cause of the dispute.

More disturbing is the provincial government’s failure in its primary duty to protect the safety of all citizens living in Nova Scotia from threats of fear, violence and maintain law and order. No one in Canada has the right to take the law into their own hands under any circumstances. Disputes, both criminal and civil, can only be resolved through authorized law enforcement officers and the courts.

That tensions continue to be high in this multilateral dispute was entirely predictable. That no serious action was taken since the last dangerous criminal behaviour made against indigenous fishers is unacceptable and inexcusable.

Law and Order Must be Restored

The governments of Nova Scotia and Canada cannot continue to tolerate these acts of terror. By not denouncing and prosecuting those responsible, the provincial government, DFO and RCMP are enabling these criminals to continue to flaunt law and order, and endanger lives and property.

The Green Party of Nova Scotia is asking for all citizens, and all levels of government, to denounce these violent, criminal acts and demand justice for those harmed.

Green Party of Nova Scotia principles:

++ Sustainability

Move all open-net pen finfish aquaculture facilities into closed containment systems on land. As with land farmers transitioning from conventional production, ensuring necessary financial and extension support to fish farm workers to make this transition.

++ Local Self-Reliance

Communities must be in charge of their own destinies and resources as much as possible. Economic development cannot be directed solely by central authorities for the unique benefit of elites.

++ Non Violence

We declare our commitment to nonviolence, and to strive for a culture of peace and cooperation between nations, inside societies and between individuals. We believe that security should not rest mainly on physical strength but on cooperation, equal justice, sound economic and social development, environmental safety, and respect for human rights.

THERE IS NO PLACE IN CANADA FOR VIGILANTISM

The Green Party of Nova Scotia condemns in the strongest possible terms the illegal acts of vigilantism demonstrated by some Fundy shore commercial fishermen over the past 24 hours.

Canadian civilians are not allowed to enforce regulations or interpret laws, or deputize themselves to do so. Governments and police are the sole authorities empowered to regulate resources and enforce laws.

21 years of inaction towards the practical application of the Moderate Livable fishery by successive governments represents a complete dereliction of duty to both Mi’kmaq and non-native communities, leading some to desperate and criminal acts.

The events of the past few days in Comeauville, Saulnierville and Metahegan are extremely dangerous, shameful, and demand immediate provincial government action to guarantee the safety of all people and protect the rule of law.

In the past 24 hours, groups of commercial fishermen admitted, through spokesmen Colin Sproul, the president of the Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermans Association, and Martin Mallet of the Maritime Fishermans Union, to taking the law into their own hands, removing lobster traps and releasing catch that did not belong to them, which Sproul contends was done under the supervision of RCMP and DFO authorities. They also admit to cutting lines to traps, adding to the growing pile of ghost gear polluting the ocean. In Comeauville dozens of vehicles and more than 50 men identified and surrounded the home of an individual they allege purchased lobster in a manner they considered illegal.

Under what legal jurisdiction did these fishermen operate when they confiscated property not belonging to them? Which authority from the RCMP or DFO appointed commercial fishermen as deputies in regulatory enforcement? Was permission or training given to everyone, or specific individuals? The mob that assembled in Comeauville claim they were protesting, but made clear accusations offering no evidence towards an unnamed individual, while openly flaunting provincial COVID laws governing social distancing and masks.

Canadians do not have the right to enforce regulations or interpret laws. The acts committed over the past days are equivalent to theft, vandalism, illegal dumping, intimidation, and mob rule without any accountability or liability to the public. If police, federal and provincial authorities tolerate this behaviour, then governments are complicit in normalizing vigilantism and exploiting those commercial fishermen to solve problems they are responsible for.

The Green Party of Nova Scotia condemns acts of vigilantism in any form. We live in a land of law and order. The Mi’kmaq people used legal means over 21 years to have their rights ruled on in the public court system. The commercial fishermen of Nova Scotia who participated in the events of the last week would be well served to follow the Mi’kmaq example of how to respect the laws of Canada.