by Federal Fisheries Minister Dianne Lebouthillier says the government will be launching an external review after two Cape Breton Mi’kmaw fishermen say they were mistreated by DFO officers in March.
Blaise Sylliboy from Eskasoni and Kevin Hartling from Membertou say they were detained for fishing for baby eels in Shelburne County.
They say officers took their boots and phones and they had to walk for hours in sock feet along a rural highway.
Lebouthillier decided to keep the baby eel fishery closed this year, in part because of violence.
Mi’kmaw fishermen say they have a treaty right to take part in the fishery.
Lebouthillier says indigenous leadership will be involved in the review of Sylliboy and Hartling’s case and a team will meet in the coming weeks to establish a framework for it.
She says, once the review is completed, a report with recommendations will be made public.