Chiefs of Ontario allege unequal access to justice in lawsuit

They wanted to make their presence known, heading from outside the premier’s office to the doors of the legislative chamber, Indigenous chiefs on reserve, police chiefs and the ND PS Saul Mamaqua. When those people are coming here and they haven’t committed a crime yet, but we know they’re in our area and they’re there for criminal activity. And I’m talking about drug trafficking. We have organized crime, human trafficking. And when you see the way human trafficking is, is tied into murder or missing indigenous women and girls. The Chiefs of Ontario has filed A lawsuit against the province and the federal government. They say that while First Nations can make their own laws, they’re not being prosecuted. One police chief of six First Nations communities says trespassing is one example of something not being enforced. The Chiefs of Ontario have written to the Prime Minister and the premier In the letter to the premier, they blame Ontario’s new police Act, passed last month, saying it explicitly excludes the enforcement of First Nations bylaws. From the mandatory police functions. It’s a racist piece of legislation. If somebody could explain different to me, I’m willing to listen. Here’s what this Indigenous chief says she wants from the government. I’m looking for the province of Ontario to step up to the plate, make sure that our women and children are protected and taken care of. Otherwise, you’re creating a lawless society in question period. The Solicitor General was asked about these concerns. As this matter is before the court, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further. The federal government says council are reviewing the statement of claim to determine next steps. The ball is in their court right now that the premier and the Prime Minister, the chiefs, say they prefer to sit down and resolve this outside court. Lorenda Retikoff, CBC News, Toronto.