FSIN named intervener in federal court case
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations has been named an intervener in a federal court case which could determine the way laws are created and implemented.
In May of last year, the Supreme Court of Canada allowed the Mikisew Cree First Nation to appeal a federal court of appeal decision. The court of appeal found the federal government did not owe a duty to consult when, within two omnibus bills, it developed and implemented changes to the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act, the Navigable Waters Protection Act, and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
The FSIN Chiefs-in-Assembly passed a resolution mandating the FSIN should apply for intervenor status in the case. That status was granted on Jan. 15.
“First Nations should always be involved in the legislative process which impact Treaty and Inherent rights, and adequate resources must be available,” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said in a statement. “First Nations must be at the table when laws are being written.”