Canada owes First Nations billions after making ‘mockery’ of treaty deal, top court rules

Court urges federal and Ontario governments to make pay outs after ‘dishonourably’ neglecting 174-year-old deal

• The Crown promised riches to First Nations in Canada – over 150 years on, they could finally get billions

An “egregious” refusal by successive Canadian governments to honor a key treaty signed with Indigenous nations made a “mockery” of the deal and deprived generations of fair compensation for their resources, Canada’s top court has ruled.

But while the closely-watched decision will likely yield billions in payouts, First Nation chiefs say the ruling adds yet another hurdle in the multi-decade battle for justice.