Glenn Wheeler

Lawyer Jaimie Lickers hopes to use findings in Wells decision to argue in upcoming Abbott case on behalf of those losing their Qalipu First Nation status through points system.

Money, not legal merit, may decide if one or two court cases go forward challenging the legality of the supplemental agreement.

In an interview for the next episode of the Mi'kmaq Matters podcast, Chief Brendan Mitchell said that on a conference call this week, federal reps would make no... commitment to keep six plaintiffs in Benoit case on the Qalipu membership list as called for by Supreme Court of NL. Here's a portion of that interview. See more

This is what the joint communique being issued by Canada and the FNI will state: "The Government of Canada feels it is important to continue with the process of... formally recognizing the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation. Those who are being added to the list and eligible for status should not have to wait while various court actions proceed. No court decision to date has indicated Canada should halt the process. The Government of Canada is working with partners as to how best implement the rulings to date. It's important to note that, while we are proceeding with the important work of formally recognizing the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation, it is always possible to issue a new Order in Council if necessary."

Just got off the phone with Qalipu chief Brendan Mitchell and band manager Keith Goulding. They're still waiting for confirmation that the Order in Council esta...blishing a new Founding Members List passed yesterday as scheduled. A conference call between FNI/Qalipu reps, FNI lawyer Philip Buckingham and federal reps and legal counsel is scheduled for tomorrow morning so more will be known then. The FNI sent off a letter to Canada on Sunday afternoon asking that the six plaintiffs in the Benoit matter be kept on the membership list, as the FNI was ordered to do by Justice Gillian Butler. If the OIC passed yesterday, the six names might not have been kept on, since the list was generated in May. However, they can be put back on before August 31, when the 10,000+ members are to be removed. As well as the conference call tomorrow, there is a previously scheduled meeting in Halifax on Friday between FNI/Qalipu staff and reps from Canada, where there will be more discussion about implementation of a new Founding Members List.

Officials at Qalipu believe the Order in Council establishing a new Founding Members List was passed today as scheduled. They had trouble confirming because the... offices of the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations are located across the Ottawa River in Quebec. Today is a holiday in Quebec (Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day) so most staff had the day off. They will confirm in the morning. See more