This petition calls on the federal government to negotiate with the Epekwitnewaq Mi'kmaq and the Charlottetown Farmers' Market Co-operative to allow repairs and a long-term lease on federally controlled land following a Christmas Day fire that destroyed the market.

Following the fire on Christmas Day at the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market, talks with Agriculture Canada and L’nuey PEI have failed to progress to allow the CFM Co-operative to negotiate a long-term lease on federally controlled land and complete repairs to the existing structure;

This failure of negotiation is has impacted the vendors (farmers) at the market, putting many of their livelihoods at risk. While a temporary venue is being used as a stop gap it is not feasible for longevity. This failure of action is directly in opposition to the recent national goals of the Government to Canada to support increased food security, food sovereignty and promote local food hubs; and

There is an opportunity here for the Government of Canada to work with the Epekwitnewaq Mi'kmaq in negotiating a solution which promotes and protects the values of all involved.

We, the undersigned,citizens of Canada, call upon theMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Foodto: 1. Take action to enter meaningful negotiation with the Epekwitnewaq Mi'kmaq, in a way that recognizes the need to negotiate with respect for the sovereignty and wisdom of the original people of this country we call Canada; 2. Hold in our attention the importance of making every effort to foster, support and protect food sovereignty, food security and by extension the small footprint of independent local food production; and 3. Support the most fiscally responsible action in this case wherein repairs are made to an existing asset.