Nova Scotia amends ‘conquered people’ legal brief in Alton Gas appeal
HALIFAX — A controversial legal argument that implied members of a First Nation band are a conquered people has been removed from a Nova Scotia government brief submitted to the court in the Alton Gas appeal case.
The provincial Justice Department confirmed Wednesday that a letter had been filed with the Nova Scotia Supreme Court informing it of amendments to its position.
“Government has withdrawn a number of legal arguments raised in the brief related to duty to consult,” the department said. “The province affirms it has a constitutional duty to consult.”
The brief was presented as part of the government’s case against an appeal filed by the Indian Brook band. The band asked the court during a hearing in November to overturn the province’s approval of a plan by Alton Gas to store natural gas in salt caverns near the Shubenacadie River.