Premier Tim Houston Photo: NS Government.
Sipekne’katik First Nation has passed a band council resolution formally banning Premier Tim Houston, Justice Minister and Attorney General Scott Armstrong, and Minister of L’nu Affairs Leah Martin from all Sipekne’katik lands.
The resolution declares the three provincial officials “undesirables” and applies to all reserve lands overseen by the band’s elected leadership. The First Nation says the province has no jurisdiction on reserve lands and that any trespassing would be subject to a fine of 50,000 dollars.
In the release, Chief Michelle Glasgow accused the premier of failing to engage with the community during his time in office, and raised concerns about provincial laws and appointments related to Mi’kmaw rights and L’nu affairs.
The ban comes shortly after the province announced plans to step up their enforcement surrounding illegal cannabis operations.
The statement also references Section 35 of the Constitution Act, which recognizes and affirms Indigenous and treaty rights in Canada.
Chief Glasgow said the decision to issue the ban is intended both as a protective measure for the community and as a response to ongoing concerns about how the provincial government is handling issues affecting Mi’kmaw people.
Meanwhile, the premier is considering the ban a threat.
“To have somebody banned from a community with an ‘or else’ statement is kind of kind of bizarre for me, in Canada, but I’m not focused on that. I’m focused on keeping Nova Scotians safe and doing what’s right for Nova Scotians,” Premier Tim Houston told reporters Wednesday morning.
He added that he is particularly worried about the potency of some edibles they are finding, and he is hearing from people in communities who are worried about people coming to buy illegal cannabis products, so “there’s always multiple sides of the story.”
