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Blocked traffic Hwy 4

N.S. ‘open to meeting’ with First Nations as tensions rise over cannabis raids

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The province says the door is open for discussions with First Nations leaders on cannabis.

Last Thursday, April 2, members of First Nations communities blocked key highways for several hours.

The protests were over RCMP raids of cannabis storefronts on First Nations.

Tensions are high, First Nations say it’s their Treaty right to sell cannabis on their lands.

Justice minister Scott Armstrong says they’re always open to meeting, but there are policies in place.

“We have a policy where First Nations can actively participate in cannabis sales at NSLC locations, with proceeds going back to the bands. We’re willing to have discussions on that, and other policies,” said Armstrong.

Armstrong says the province strongly supports the RCMP and their actions on illegal cannabis.

“The Cannabis Control Act is the law of the land in Nova Scotia. The Cannabis Act is the law of the land across Canada. Health Canada produced cannabis products are the only legal ones across the country.”

Armstrong was asked what it will take to resolve tensions.

“We’ll have to work on that together. I think the onus is on all leadership to work together to try and find a solution to all of these issues. The issue of public health and safety for young people is a priority.”

Premier Houston issued a lengthy statement over Easter weekend, saying blocking a highway or road is never acceptable.

He said they are ready to work together to address the drug crisis, but they are not prepared to accept the status quo.

Several RCMP cars are parked outside of a cannabis store along Highway 4 in Potlotek First Nation on Thursday. PHOTO: ACADIA BROADCASTING

3 arrested after RCMP vehicles damaged

Meanwhile, RCMP say two men, aged 33 and 30 from Potlotek and a 19-year-old man from River Bourgeois were arrested in relation to mischief Thursday.

This was after several police vehicles were damaged during the protests in Potlotek, RCMP say seven vehicles had damage of some kind, including broken windows and flat tires.

Police say no charges have been laid.

Potlotek First Nation released a statement condemning the vandalism, and asked anyone with information to come forward.

The First Nation said the raid Thursday caused fear, and what followed was a powerful demonstration of unity and solidarity across the community.

Blocked traffic Hwy 4

Premier slams highway protests, defends cannabis raids

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Premier Tim Houston is slamming protestors for blocking a few Nova Scotia highways late last week after a cannabis raid in a Cape Breton First Nation.

In a lengthy post on social media, Saturday, Houston said blocking highways is unacceptable and RCMP are doing their job to uphold the law and keep Nova Scotians safe.

“They deserve respect, not confrontation,” said Houston.

“The unlawful obstruction of others is not peaceful. It undermines public safety, respect for law enforcement and the rule of law itself. Our roadways are our lifebood.”

He says that at any given time people could be travelling to medical appointments, hospital, work or caring for their families.

Houston adds, the province wants to work together on the drug crisis and not accept the “status quo”.

RCMP say it was around 7:30 a.m., Thursday, when officers searched an illegal storefront on Highway 4. Two men were arrested.

In response to this, protestors blocked access to Highway 4 in Potlotek.

Officers then left the scene on foot leaving behind their cruisers.

Seven RCMP vehicles left in Potlotek were damaged. RCMP say they had “broken windows, dents, deflated tires, removed tires, and urine-soaked interior surfaces.”

Several RCMP cars parked outside of a cannabis store along Highway 4 in Potlotek First Nation on Thursday. PHOTO: ACADIA BROADCASTING

In a statement, Potlotek First Nation said it’s not a matter of enforcement but rather, jurisdiction.

“Time and time again Mi’kmaq are forced to respond when provincial laws and enforcement actions are imposed on our communities without respect to our rights, our leadership or our authority.”

One protestor told our newsroom officers took fridges, shelves and signs.

Two other highways were blocked in solidarity – highway 105 in Whycocomagh and 102 in Shubenacadie.

Crackdown

It was in December when the province ordered a cannabis crackdown.

Nova Scotia announced they would be increasing police enforcement around concerns about safety and that unregulated market with a number of stores that have been raided.

This sparked disappointment from First Nations, one who even threatened legal action.

On March 13, Sipekne’katik First Nation created its own law on the matter, which is in effect, now.

In a post on social media, Chief of Sipekne’katik First Nation Michelle Glasgow says it’s not about “weed shops” getting raided. “It’s about the government asserting jurisdiction over Our Communities and over Our Unceded Mik’maq Lands.”

“If we allow this to continue then we are allowing the assimilation of Mi’kmaq into a society that was meant to destroy us.”

At this time, no arrests have been made related to the protests.