The Saugeen Ojibway Nation’s claim to Aboriginal title is one of several across the country that include large areas of water, either lakes or ocean coastline. Cathy Guirguis, one of the plaintiffs’ lawyers, said her clients are interested in the exclusive right to the fishery that Aboriginal title could afford. In this case, both the federal and provincial governments are arguing that Aboriginal title never existed to Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Still, Guirguis said it’s possible to reconcile the public right to travel on water with Aboriginal title. “You have to ask how can you exercise control” to large areas of open water, he said.

Source: National Post May 03, 2019 16:52 UTC