Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday in Question Period the minister of Indian affairs stated that the Nisga'a of northwest B.C. won a Supreme Court decision in 1973 awarding them aboriginal land title. This is incorrect. The Nisga'a lost their 1973 appeal.
The latest word is the Delgamuukw case of 1991. This aboriginal land title case was dismissed by the Supreme Court of B.C. and subsequently by the Court of Appeal. The minister's premise is wrong.
My question was whether the intent of Nisga'a offer was to treaty protect a commercial fishery. The public deserves an answer, which the minister did not provide.
Between March 3 and 13, B.C. Reform MPs are holding a series of town hall meetings across the province to raise public awareness and understanding of the implications of current B.C. treaty negotiations.