OTTAWA,
ON, July 8, 2024 /CNW/ - On March 26, 2024, I was deeply troubled to learn of
an incident involving the arrest and release of two
Mi'kmaq individuals in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia. The allegations brought forward
regarding the treatment of the two individuals are simply
unacceptable.
Since this incident took place, Parliamentary Secretary Kelloway
and I have engaged with Chiefs and representatives of
Mi'kmaq communities to discuss the path forward. On
May 31, I had the opportunity to meet
with and, most importantly, listen to the poignant testimony of one
of the two Mi'kmaw individuals involved in the incident.
Today, I announce that the Government of Canada will be launching a comprehensive
external review to examine the events of March 26, 2024, the conduct of the DFO fishery
officers involved, as well as DFO policies, enforcement practices,
and procedures to eradicate the potential for systemic biases or
racism. In the coming weeks, a whole-of-government team
comprised of representatives from Indigenous Services of
Canada (ISC), Crown-Indigenous
Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) Public Safety Canada
(PS), and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will establish a
framework for the external review, including the terms of
reference, membership, and scope of the mandate of the
individual(s) identified to lead the work.
As I've previously stated, and will state again: this external
review must, and will, involve Indigenous leadership. This is
why further engagement with Mi'kmaw communities will be critical
before selecting the external review panel, which we expect to
announce later this month. The external review will be conducted
independently, with no role for DFO or the government in the
day-to-day work of the investigative team.
Once this external review is concluded, a report with
recommendations will be presented and made public.
I am committed to shedding light on this matter. We must work
together to eradicate systemic racism, wherever it exists.
Associated Links
- Minister Lebouthillier's decision regarding the elver
fishery in 2024
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