Surf clam controversy: Federal bid for reconciliation lands in court
HALIFAX — One of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s signature bids to promote reconciliation with Indigenous groups in Atlantic Canada is now facing a court challenge and allegations of conflict of interest.
The mounting criticism stems from a decision by Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc to award a potentially lucrative Arctic surf clam fishing licence to the Five Nations Clam Corp., based in New Brunswick.
The Arctic surf clam fishery generated $90 million in sales in 2016 and mainly supplies the Asian sushi and sashimi market.
On Feb. 21, LeBlanc said Five Nations had won a competition for the licence because the company met criteria that called for an Indigenous entity located in the Atlantic region with majority Canadian ownership.