Law Notes Aboriginal Law Notes
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Treaties
Origins of Rights
basis of s. 35(1) treaty rights is post contact relations; they didn’t exist pre-contact (Marshall 2)
part of CL and constitutional law: law of Ks, protection enshrined in s. 35(1)> gives recognition historically awarded in colonial times
Scope, Nature of Rights (Sparrow)
are sui generis
scope is generally within terms of treaty, but can include reasonably incidental activities (Sundown, Marshall 2); can include enforcement of rights not recorded via implied rights (Marshall 1)
can be both procedural (e.g. consultation) and substantive (e.g. hunting) (Mikisew)
protection of traditional activities only (Marshall/Bernard)
treaty rights can evolve over time if essential character is the same (Bernard/Marshall, Marshall 1)
must have been contemplated by parties at the time of signing (Bernard/Marshall)
not subject to s. 1 of the CH, but not absolute, must be read w federal powers
“existing” means unextinguished: constitutionalization does not revive extinguished rights
Interpretative Approach
traditional, narrow approach shifted w White and Bob (1964); Simon (1985): now we take a liberal interpretation, w ambiguities resolved in favour of FN; ct looks for mutually bound intent est, examines parties conduct
rights are not frozen: must be interpreted as an evolving, adapting to new contexts (Simon, Sundown, Marshall 1)
reflects purposes of s. 35(1) rights protections: recognition of prior occupancy and reconciliation of sovereignties (VDP)
ct should choose interpretation that favours reconciliation (Marshall 1)
honour of the crown is at stake in upholding promises (Badger; Marshall 1)
takes into account the aboriginal perspective to determine the meaning of the right at stake
CRITIQUES of espoused commitment to incorporating FN rights:
limited as the perspective must be framed in terms that are cognizable to the Canadian legal and constitutional structure which such is the decision in Marshall and Bernard, are not serving reconciliation very well
There is a question on how it is to be cognizable to the Canadian system of common law, especially if common law can change and be fluid and dynamic, and is supposed to include ‘customary’ law
True reconciliation is supposed to align the two systems together, so fitting one into the other is not reconciling
Macklem and Ash: cts relying on an contingent as opposed to inherent approach to rights, e.g. in Sparrow
Interpretative Principles
Factors to Apply to Interpret Historic Treaties (Marshall 1, dissent, based in many principles from Badger):
Treaties are unique
They should be liberally construed, ambiguities should be interpreted in favour of FN
Goal is to choose interpretation which reconciles both interests of parties at time of signing> assess if:
-the right was contemplated at the time of signing (Marshall II; Bernard/Marshall)
In searching for common intention, the honour of cr is presumed
-factors to analyse historical background, esp in determining intent to enter into a treaty (Sioui):
-continuous exercise of a right in past or present
-reasons why Cr committed
-situation prevailing at the time document was signed
-evidence of relations of mutual respect bw parties
-subsequent conduct
In determining the signatories’ respective understanding and intentions, ct must be sensitive to the unique cultural and linguistic differences bw parties
Words should be interpreted to have the meaning at time of signing
K’al or technical interpretation should be avoided
In liberal interp, cts cannot alter the terms of the treaty or exceed what is realistically possible on the language
Rights must not be interpreted in a static way, rights must be updated for modern context, this includes determining what modern practices are reasonably incidental (Sundown)
Limits to Treaty Rights
Generally
- intent of parties at time of signing (Marshall 1)
-can evolve (Simon, Sundown, Marshall 1)
-honour of the crown (Badger; Marshall 1)
-geographical limitation: compatibility w intended land use (Sundown, Badger)
-economic/ commercial limit:
- limited in Marshall (moderate livelihood); Marshall/Bernard (held protection of traditional activities only); Horseman, Sappier/Grey
-historic understanding that treaties were supposed to guarantee autonomy, contradiction as jurisprudence limits commercial rights
Extinguishment
- Sioui > extinguishment must be plain and clear > Sparrow applies:
-proof of extinguishment > onus on Cr
-prior to 1982: extinguishment can occur with clear and plain intent (Sparrow), can be inferred if consistent, need not be explicit (Gladstone, S/G)
extinguishment could potentially occur via:
-surrender: treaty with the crown
-legislation
-s. 91(24): right to legislate and extinguish title
- regulatory regime is not a high enough standard to meet extinguishment:
-e.g.: NRTA in Badger extinguished the treaty protection of the right to hunt commercially while...
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Outline of aboriginal lands, right and title....
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