A Nova Scotia judge rules that a dispute over Indigenous lobster fishing must be handled by the federal government, not the province. The case centers on whether a First Nation has a treaty right to commercially fish for lobster without obtaining federal permits. The First Nation argues that its claim is grounded in the Peace and Friendship Treaties signed in 1760–61 and that federal authorization should not limit its treaty-based right to fish. The judge’s decision directs that the matter falls under Ottawa’s jurisdiction, framing the issue as one requiring federal action or involvement rather than provincial oversight.
While the sources provide limited additional detail, they agree on the core point of the ruling: the judge says the dispute’s resolution lies with the federal government. The decision effectively determines where the legal and administrative process should occur, including how any treaty-right claims and permit requirements should be addressed.
