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

Court urges federal and Ontario governments to make payouts 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.