Chiefs ‘disappointed’ with response to call for inquiry into N.B. police shootings

FREDERICTON—THE New Brunswick government says it agrees that Indigenous people should lead some kind of review into two recent fatal police shootings, but several First Nations leaders say they’re disappointed it may not be a formal commission of inquiry.

The province’s Aboriginal affairs minister, Jake Stewart, said more than a dozen First Nations chiefs took part in a conference call Wednesday with Premier Blaine Higgs to talk about systemic racism within the province’s justice system.

“We agreed that Indigenous leaders should be at the head of this — maybe a co-chaired effort,” Stewart told reporters after the meeting.

“There were terms thrown around like task force, review, inquiry, commission. Many terms were discussed and there was disagreement on terminology ... Not everybody can land on the same page in a meeting.”

Six chiefs who represent the Wolastoqey Nation, however, later issued a statement saying they had specifically asked for a formal, independent commission of inquiry to investigate the deaths of Chantel Moore and Rodney Levi — both of whom were shot by police within the past two weeks.

“We were very disappointed with Premier Higgs’ response,” the chiefs said, adding that they told Higgs and four members of his cabinet that an inquiry should be led by Indigenous people and must have tight timelines to ensure prompt action. The chiefs said they told Higgs and members of his cabinet an inquiry should be led by

Indigenous people and should have tight timelines to ensure prompt action.

“Our people have participated in national inquiries and we have heard words spoken by governments, and still we come back to the same point we reached these past weeks,” the chiefs said. “We need action now.”

Higgs later said he was concerned that too many previous inquiries — at the provincial and federal level — have failed to accomplish what they set out to do.

“I’m not one to keep studying something,” he said, adding the province should first try to implement previous recommendations that remain outstanding.

“I’d like to get something accomplished. Why duplicate what may have already been studied?”

Stewart — who earlier this month called for a public inquiry — said Wednesday the province was still open to the idea, but made it clear the government is hesitant about doing so because it could take too long.

Having looked at the results of several national and provincial inquiries and royal commissions dealing with Indigenous issues, Stewart said only 20 per cent of 797 resulting recommendations had been implemented over a 24-year span.

"The premier committed to meaningful change, action and results," Stewart said. "We didn't commit to an inquiry, but we're still open to it."

The Mi’gmaq Chiefs of New Brunswick said they agreed with the premier’s approach while also calling for a public commission of inquiry.