Article contentEDMONTON — Free speech rights protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms also apply to First Nation chiefs and council, says an unprecedented letter from the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, sent to the Kwantlen First Nation. Try refreshing your browser, or First Nation members have Charter free speech rights on reserves, says B.C. civil liberties group Back to videoThe application of Charter rights on reserves is an evolving discussion, but the BCCLA letter — which is being called the Kwantlen Statement — details several instances where courts have applied it to band members. “The issue of free speech on reserve is critical. Veronica Martisius, a signatory of the BCCLA letter, said in an email that the objective of the letter was to “provide assistance” to those “who are feeling silenced” by the chief and council.

Source: National Post September 17, 2020 00:00 UTC