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Court upholds Métis right to hunt
(From CBC Website)
TORONTO - Premier Mike Harris says an Ontario court ruling in favour of the hunting rights of the province's Métis may have national implications, while Métis leaders are calling it a "massive victory."
On Wednesday, the court upheld a December 1998 decision that Métis, who have both Indian and European heritage, have a constitutional right to hunt moose and other game. It dismissed an appeal by the Ontario government.
Harris says Wednesday's ruling affects the ability of all provinces to protect wildlife, pointing out the courts have decided aboriginal rights are more important than protecting natural resources.
He says government lawyers are looking at appealing.
The case began when Steve Powley and his son Roddy were charged with illegally hunting and possessing a moose. A judge ruled in 1998 the Métis did have an aboriginal right to hunt for food.
But since then, seven other similar charges have been laid in Ontario.
Métis leaders are calling on the province to negotiate.
Jean Teillet, the lawyer for the two men, warned there's a risk confrontations will erupt, like those in the Maritimes last fall after the Supreme Court upheld the right of aboriginals to hunt and fish year-round.
In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, tempers flared as natives went out to harvest lobsters and non-natives fishers felt their livelihoods were being threatened.
Teillet says the provinces are stalling efforts to have the legal issue resolved once and for all before the Supreme Court of Canada.
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