Libel suit against former Nova Scotia premier and justice minister resolved

HALIFAX - A libel motion towards the previous premier of Nova Scotia and his justice minister has ended with an undisclosed settlement.

The Justice Division confirmed at present the authorized motion launched by former authorities litigator Alex Cameron has been resolved.

Cameron resigned from his job in 2017, indicating he would sue ex-premier Stephen McNeil and former justice minister Dianne Whalen for feedback they made about his work in a trial involving a Mi’kmaq First Nation.

He claimed McNeil and Whalen defamed him by implying he acted with out instruction in 2016, when he argued the province wasn’t required to seek the advice of the Sipekne’katik First Nation on a pure fuel storage proposal.

Cameron’s authorized transient was denounced by Indigenous leaders as a result of it made reference to the First Nation’s “submission” to the British Crown in 1760, in distinction to “unconquered peoples” in different treaties.

After a public outcry, McNeil disavowed the argument, and Cameron alleged the premier and Whalen implied he was appearing with out instruction or opposite to instruction from the province.

Authorized specialists have mentioned Cameron’s case was a helpful effort to stop politicians from throwing authorities attorneys “beneath the bus when it’s handy,” and to uphold the precept of ministerial accountability for positions authorities attorneys take.

On Nov. 17, 2017, the premier informed reporters that Cameron’s transient was “not what I imagine” and “I had no concept it was being put ahead,” in accordance with the court docket paperwork.

Whalen added on the time, “I can reiterate what the premier mentioned. (It) went past the place of presidency.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 14, 2022.