Premier Dennis King suggested he did not believe it was in the province’s interest to recoup legal costs related to the Mill River legal challenge.
In the fall, the P.E.I. Court of Appeal ruled against the Abegweit and Lennox Island First Nations, finding that the provincial government did not have a duty to consult with the First Nations over a cabinet decision to sell the Mill River golf course. A subsequent appeal of this decision was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Canada in April.
During question period on Wednesday King was asked by his Progressive Conservative colleague Sidney MacEwen about the legal costs associated with this court battle.
"There were significant legal costs awarded in these cases. Is it still the provincial government's intention to recover these costs?" MacEwen asked the premier.
King responded that he believed the money owing from the two First Nations could be better spent elsewhere.
"I think it is fair to say that I don't think it's in the best interests of anyone for us to try to recover costs from our First Nations on this file,” King said.
“I think we try to move forward and maybe utilize those funds and invest them in really good ventures going forward."
When later asked by media about the remarks, King estimated the legal costs owing from the two First Nations could be as high as $600,000 or $700,000.
"I just think that at this time when we're trying to build a positive relationship that I would much rather the First Nations take that investment and put it into projects that can help all of Prince Edward Island," King said.
In addition to being premier, King is the Indigenous relations secretariat. Before entering politics, King worked as director of communications with the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island.