Statement from CUPE National President Mark Hancock and CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury:
“The current situation in Nova Scotia marked by anti-Indigenous racism and violence is abhorrent. Even worse, the failure of the federal government to enforce the rule of law and uphold Mi’kmaq treaty rights is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable.
“CUPE stands in solidarity with the Mi’kmaq fishers who are doing nothing more than exercising their constitutionally-protected right to earn a moderate livelihood from lobster fishing - and being harassed, intimidated, and assaulted for doing so, while the federal government stands idly by.
“Systemic racism is not an abstract concept - it is happening right before our eyes right now in Nova Scotia.
“This is a question of upholding our most basic obligations to Indigenous peoples in Canada. The federal government must act now to respect and uphold Mi’kmaq treaty rights and put a stop to anti-Indigenous violence.”