Province To Review Supreme Court Decision

The province will review a Supreme Court of Canada decision released today, Nov. 18, that says governments have an obligation to consult with Aboriginal groups when their interests are affected. The ruling came from a logging dispute between the Haida of British Columbia and Weyerhaeuser, a multi-national logging company.

An official said the Nova Scotia government will consider its next steps after departments have had a chance to fully review the court's decision.

In Nova Scotia, overall discussions on Aboriginal and treaty rights are already underway.

"Nova Scotia hopes to achieve fair and reasonable resolution of treaty and related issues through negotiations in order to build a new relationship with the Mi'kmaq," said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Baker.

An umbrella agreement -- signed in 2002 -- committed the provincial and federal governments and the Mi'kmaq to work toward a process of consultation.

Under that agreement the three parties also agreed to begin the process of negotiations on Aboriginal and treaty rights.

"We are pleased with the progress that has been made in getting a negotiation process in place," said Jamie Campbell, Nova Scotia's chief negotiator. "Negotiators are currently developing a framework agreement which will outline the process and the topics for negotiations."