U of S Professor Defends BC Native Fisheries

U of S Professor Defends BC Native Fisheries

Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 13:09

A professor from the University of Saskatchewan says the Prime Minister is making a mistake by opposing First Nations fisheries on the West Coast.

Paul Chartrand says he was disappointed to hear Stephen Harper label the fishing industry as being racially divided.

Chartrand says First Nations are merely exercising their constitutional rights and he can’t understand why a Prime Minister is challenging rights protected under the Constitution.

However, Chartrand says Harper’s move is not surprising given the Conservative Party’s track record on Aboriginal issues.

Chartrand says if Harper attempts to overturn Aboriginal rights protected under the Constitution it would be a mistake.