Interim Métis Harvesting Agreement Null and Void!

Interim Métis Harvesting Agreement Null and Void!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Edmonton January 26, 2007)… Alberta’s largest conservation group, the Alberta Fish &
Game Association (AFGA), is encouraged to hear that the recent Court of Queen’s
Bench of Alberta decision in the Kipp Kelley appeal has deemed the Interim Métis
Harvesting Agreement (IMHA) “unenforceable” indicating that it has no authority and
thus is in fact not legitimate.
The interim agreement, which was struck behind closed doors without public or
stakeholder input in 2004, came under severe criticism from the beginning by the AFGA
and other conservation groups. Little or no consideration had been given to the
province wide impact on fish and wildlife by creating an open season year-round.
The IMHA had given unlimited rights to members of the Métis Nation of Alberta to “hunt,
trap or fish at all seasons of the year.” Though it states the purpose is for “subsistence
purposes,” the agreement does not define the term nor does it impose any limits on the
quantities of fish or game harvested.
“Simply put when something is “not legally enforceable” as stated by Justice Gerald A.
Verville in making the decision, it just doesn’t exist,” said AFGA President Randy
Collins.
“We have concerns when any single group is given the right to harvest unlimited
quantities of fish or game, or to disregard seasonal restrictions. Fishing and hunting
seasons are in place to give fish and game sanctuary to conceive, birth and raise their
young, and limits are there to protect the long term survival of all species,” he continued.
The Alberta Fish and Game Association is a not-for-profit volunteer organization proud
to serve Albertans in the promotion of the wise use of our fish and wildlife resources and
the conservation of their habitats. Celebrating its 98th anniversary the AFGA has been
active since 1908 in working towards these goals. It has a province-wide membership of
more than 14,000 individuals spread among 100+ Clubs.
-30-
CONTACT: Randy Collins, President, (780) 459-5878 (after 6:00 pm)
Martin Sharren, Executive Vice President, (780) 437-2342

Here is the press release