We will also be working closely with the RCMP to ensure that the legitimate fishing activities of First Nations are protected. We intend to take action against anyone interfering with those activities. For Aboriginal food fisheries, access will be provided only through bands or through the Native Council of Nova Scotia. No other fisheries will be authorized, and appropriate enforcement action will be taken. The Sparrow and Marshall decisions are the law of the land.
Nobody is above the law.
I am determined that Aboriginal people will have fair and appropriate access to the commercial fishery and to the food, social, and ceremonial fishery. I am also determined that commercial fishermen will continue to have their own fair and appropriate access to a well-controlled fishery. We have followed commercial fishermen s advice to make room in the fishery through licence retirements. We have followed your advice to ensure that commercial fishing by First Nations is conducted within commercial seasons. We have followed your advice in negotiating reductions in the food fishery.