Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Class Action
February 10, 2022
It has come to Class Counsel’s attention that the Government of Canada and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians (“FNI”) and the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation are in discussions and close to reaching an agreement regarding the reconsideration of applications for active services members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and former members of these forces who were denied founding membership in the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation.
Certainly Class Counsel welcomes the reconsideration of such veteran’s applications because of the unfair application of the Supplemental Agreement. However, the apparent premise underlying such agreement to include such veteran’s could similarly apply to others who have left Newfoundland over the last 70 years.
We understand that the Government of Canada has paused apparent negotiations with the FNI and the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation in relation to the reconsideration of FNI members and continues to not to engage on that subject.
Class Counsel is disappointed that while citing active litigation as the reason for pausing discussions with the FNI, Canada has not made any effort to consult with Class Counsel on this matter, nor has the FNI. On the contrary, the parties to the agreement have ignored Class Counsel’s requests to be consulted throughout their apparent negotiations.
Class Counsel will continue to work on advancing the claims of Class Members whose applications for membership were unfairly affected by the changes in the 2013 Supplementary Agreement.
