Indigenous Consultation Requirement - QP

CLAUDIA CHENDER: We hear about collaboration. Yesterday the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs sent a letter to the Premier, which read in part:

Last week's sweeping legislative proposal is another example of the provincial government choosing not to engage or consult with the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia prior to introducing significant changes in the mining sector.

They go on to say:

The Province also sits at several tables with KMK and the Assembly, where these changes should have been discussed, but were never raised or flagged for us.

Why didn't the Premier bother to speak with the Chiefs about a policy that impacts their land and constitutional rights?

THE PREMIER « » : I have great respect for our First Nations leaders. Tremendous respect. The minister and I will be meeting with them later this week to talk about some of these issues. I understand the realities of the world - the situations we're facing right now with these Trump tariffs, the tax, the President's actions. They're designed to hurt our people. They're designed to hurt our country. We need to respond to that.

We will consult as projects arise. There will be extensive consultation. There are forces beyond our control that require urgent action, and we are responding to them to support all Nova Scotians. We will continue to do that. We will work with our wonderful First Nations partners on that.

CLAUDIA CHENDER: This is not about the courtesy of conversation. This is about respecting a Constitutional right to consult. It is concerning that this government did not take their Constitutional requirement to consult Indigenous rights holders seriously in this rush to legislate. Their letter made that clear.

Mi'kmaw rights holders were also among the hundreds of people gathered outside today along with doctors, environmentalists, property owners, rural Nova Scotians, and everyday people who happen to disagree with this government's "act first and ask later" approach. Does the Premier consider the Mi'kmaq to be just another special interest group?

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Minister of L'nu Affairs.

HON. LEAH MARTIN « » : Wela'lin, Speaker, and wela'lin to the member opposite for the question. I stand here as a proud Indigenous woman here to help voices be heard that haven't made it to the table before. Sometimes they can be really loud voices, and sometimes they can be really soft voices in our community. I'm here to help lift all of those voices and ensure that they're all heard as we carry these conversations forward.

We've begun conversations; we'll continue conversations. Something else I'm extremely proud about is how strongly upheld the duty to consult is within this government. It shows up in all departments and is upheld in such a strong way. As projects come forward, we will absolutely consult.