MPs debate conflict over Indigenous lobster fishing rights in Nova Scotia

A resolution to the growing conflict over Indigenous lobster fishing rights in Nova Scotia is nowhere in sight.

The dispute became violent after a southwestern Nova Scotia First Nation launched a self-regulated commercial fishery outside of the federally designated fishing season.

Non-Indigenous fishers have staged protests against this and say it could harm lobster stocks.

A lobster pound was burned to the ground over the weekend and police accused one person of assaulting a Mi’kmaq leader and another of setting fire to a van owned by an Indigenous fisherman.

The House of Commons held an emergency debate on Monday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the violence “is unacceptable, it is shameful and it is criminal.”

The lobster dispute is a sensitive issue for the Trudeau government, which has made reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous people a top priority.

Opposition leaders blamed Trudeau for allowing the dispute to spiral into violence.

The meeting ended without anyone offering any solution.