Metis Fishing Case Prompting Change In Policy

Friday, July 22, 2005 at 15:25

 

 

A Saskatchewan Environment official says the province still hasn’t decided whether it will appeal last week’s Metis fishing rights ruling in Meadow Lake.

 

Dave Harvey notes the government has 30 days to appeal the decision in the Laviolette case.

 

However, Harvey does say provincial policy will likely change in the next little while to reflect the ruling — at least for the time being.

 

He says the Meadow Lake area will be added to the region where northern Metis currently have subsistence fishing rights.

 

Harvey also says the policy will probably be amended to grant any Metis living in the large territory identified in the ruling fishing rights for that entire region.

 

However, he says Metis fishers in the northeast will still be limited to fishing in and around their specific home community.