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Jamie Sarkonak: New Brunswick's plan to add an Indigenous tier of justice to the courts

A new bill would make First Nations bylaws enforceable in provincial courts — even as they fight for Aboriginal title to the entire province

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The First Nations of New Brunswick are currently fighting for title to the entire province, but that hasn’t stopped the local legislature from offering up its courts for their use.

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Last week, the N.B. Liberals tabled Bill 50, “An Act Respecting the Enforcement of First Nations Laws and the Prosecution of Offences under First Nations Laws.” It would designate New Brunswick courts as the place to enforce First Nations bylaws.

Jamie Sarkonak: New Brunswick's plan to add an Indigenous tier of justice to the courts Back to video

The bill would also make a number of smaller changes to achieve enforcement, including extending the jurisdiction of probation officers and the youth corrections scheme to cover First Nations rules, and exempting First Nations enforcement officers from court record copying fees just as peace officers are.

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