Prosecuting the Fishery: The Supreme Court of Canada and the Onus of Proof in Aboriginal Fishing Cases

Authors

Peggy J. Blair

Keywords

Supreme Court of Canada, aboriginal, fishing, indigenous, treaty, Crown

Abstract

In Sparrow and other decisions, the Supreme Court of Canada has outlined certain tests which must be met by the Crown and defence in the trial of aboriginal fishing cases where s.35 rights are at issue. This article describes the shifting burdens of proof which have resulted from those tests. The author argues that the Supreme Court of Canada has imposed procedural and substantive requirements of proof on the defence which may in themselves be unconstitutional.

Recommended Citation

Peggy J. Blair, "Prosecuting the Fishery: The Supreme Court of Canada and the Onus of Proof in Aboriginal Fishing Cases" (1997) 20:1 Dal LJ 17.