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Métis National Council chips away at Federal Government’s “Wooden Heart and Wooden Smile” over Kelowna Accord

Ottawa, ON (November 22, 2006) – The Métis National Council (“MNC”) made a comprehensive presentation on the Kelowna Accord Tuesday, November 21st before the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development in the House of Commons.

Rosemarie McPherson, Spokesperson for the Women of the Métis Nation, spoke on behalf of the President of the Métis National Council in addressing the House of Commons Standing Committee.

McPherson joined other national Aboriginal leaders in outlining the Métis Nation’s unwavering support for Bill C-292, an Act to Implement the Kelowna Accord.

McPherson stated in her speech that, “Kelowna represents a leap of faith forward with respect to longstanding challenges that our (Aboriginal) people have faced. Leaders from every political stripe from across this country came together with Aboriginal leaders to chart a new course full of hope and opportunity. Kelowna should not be a victim to partisan politics. It should be embraced for what it is – a collaborative effect to address the shameful conditions Aboriginal peoples face in this country today.”

Equally important McPherson added, “Kelowna represents so much more than a concrete plan for closing the socio-economic gap between Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians. It represents hope, trust, respect and compromise.”

Aboriginal leaders stand shoulder to shoulder in chipping away at what one Liberal MP called, “the federal government’s wooden heart and wooden smile,” and to live up to the commitments of the Kelowna Accord while to uphold the honour of the Crown.

Ten years ago marks the 10th anniversary of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP), which also was aimed at improving the lives of Aboriginal Canadians and close the socio-economic gap. RCAP remains on the shelf collecting dust. Also, this weekend is the first anniversary of the signing of the Kelowna Accord. Let’s ensure Bill C-292 doesn’t meet the same fate when the Kelowna Accord is returned to the House of Commons for 3rd and final reading.

The MNC represents the Métis Nation in Canada at the national and international level. The Métis Nation’s homeland includes the 3 Prairie provinces and extends into Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the northern United States. There are approximately 350,000 – 400,000 Métis Nation citizens in Canada. Métis represent approximately 25% of the total Aboriginal population in Canada according to the 2001 Census.

Métis National Council Reacts to 2nd Reading on Kelowna Accord

Ottawa, ON (Oct. 19, 2006) – Members of Parliament had an opportunity to make a difference last night by voting in favour of the “Kelowna Accord.”  The Métis National Council sat in the gallery as the vote was held for second reading of Paul Martin’s private members’ bill, An Act to Implement the Kelowna Accord. 

Unanimously the Liberals, Bloc Quebecois, NDP and Independent members of parliament voted in favour but what is disappointing is the Conservative members stood up against the Kelowna Accord.  The vote was 159 to 123. 

Métis National Council President Clément Chartier says, “Equally disappointing is the Conservative Members of Parliament who couldn’t or wouldn’t see past party lines and vote with what their gut instinct tells them is a good deal for not only all Aboriginal peoples but for Canada.  Still, the outcome of the vote sends a clear message to the government that it can’t turn its back on the serious socio-economic issues facing our nation.”

The Métis National Council remains encouraged that the “Kelowna Accord” can be salvaged as it’s sent to an all-party Aboriginal affairs committee before being returned to the House of Commons for a final vote.  It’s unlikely the Conservatives will be able to defeat the bill as long as there remains full opposition support. 

The Métis Nation continues to wait

Métis National Council urges MPs to salvage Kelowna Accord

Ottawa, ON (October 18, 2006) – Members of Parliament have been presented with an opportunity to take the fledgling “Kelowna Accord” off life-support by voting in favour of second reading of Paul Martin’s private members’ bill, An Act to Implement the Kelowna Accord, tonight in the House of Commons. 

The Métis National Council urges all MPs across party lines to breathe new life into the accord that was agreed to last November, aimed at bridging the socio-economic gap between Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians within 10 years.

MNC President Clément Chartier says, “The Kelowna Accord will mean the difference between continuing the cycle of poverty and desperation to one of real hope.  The agreement will help to bring our people out of poverty by creating jobs, securing health care and education opportunities.  Clearly, the Kelowna Accord would spark positive change for not only our people but for Canada.”

Leading up to the Kelowna Accord was 18 months of negotiations which involved all provinces and territories, national Aboriginal organizations and experts in various fields.  At the Council of the Federation meeting this past July in Newfoundland and Labrador the premiers met with the national Aboriginal leaders and emerged strongly united in support of the Kelowna Accord. 

There is too much at stake to let this opportunity for change pass by. 

Premiers and Aboriginal Leaders Affirm Support for Closing the Gap Between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Canadians

CORNER BROOK NL (July 25, 2006) – Premiers and Aboriginal leaders emerged from closed door meetings today in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador united in supporting  implementation of the ten-year action plan agreed to at the First Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) on Aboriginal Issues in November 2005.   

Métis National Council President Clément Chartier says, “We’re poised to jointly make tremendous progress and a significant difference in the lives of Canada’s Inuit, First Nations and Métis, from coast to coast to coast.  Provincial, Territorial  and Aboriginal Governments are all ready to move forward.  Although the Government of Canada is still early in its mandate, we anticipate their soon fulfilling their stated commitments to the aims and objectives of the plan and to closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.”

President Chartier went on to note that the people of the Métis Nation are depending on all levels of government to uphold the honour of the Crown. He stated, “I think it’s not only the Métis Nation that recognizes the imperative of our collaboratively moving forward. Today the Premiers and National Aboriginal Leaders confirmed our collective intent for action.”

The Métis National Council represents 350,000 to 400,000 Métis from Ontario – west including parts of the Northwest Territories and the northern USA.

Métis National Council President Calls on Premiers for Inclusion of Aboriginal Peoples in Fiscal Imbalance Discussions

OTTAWA ON (June 8, 2006) – Today, Clément Chartier, Métis National Council President called on the Premiers from Ontario west to support the inclusion of Aboriginal peoples in the upcoming Fiscal Imbalance discussions.

For decades now, the Métis in Canada have frequently been ignored and denied basic programs and services that are provided to other Aboriginal peoples because of the federal government’s illogical legal position that it only has jurisdiction to deal with two of the three Aboriginal peoples of Canada (i.e. the Indian and Inuit peoples). As a result of this, the Métis Nation’s has been the proverbial political football between federal and provincial governments with neither level of government forcing this issue to be addressed. The resulting unbalanced playing field has resulted in the Métis people falling further behind other Canadians and, in some socio-economic areas, other Aboriginal peoples.

A central theme of the federal government’s agenda revolves around restoring “accountability through the clarification of roles and responsibilities.” With that in mind, Premiers are gathering today in Edmonton for a preliminary session about equalization matters, a preface to their annual Council of the Federation meeting scheduled for July, and the pending First Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) on the Fiscal Imbalance expected to be held this fall.

The Métis National Council believes Aboriginal peoples must be fully engaged in the fiscal re-balancing process. Moreover, clarification on the roles and responsibilities to Aboriginal peoples generally and the Métis people specifically must be a part of these discussions. Therefore, President Chartier has written to the Premiers from Ontario west to insist that Ottawa:

• Establish a formal process which includes the Métis National Council, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Assembly of First Nations in their discussions on correcting the fiscal imbalance;
• Use the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation Multilateral Processes agreed to at the FMM on Aboriginal Issues held last November to ensure the Aboriginal perspective is included in these discussions; and,
• Include on the agenda at this fall’s First Ministers’ Meeting, an in-depth discussion on federal and provincial roles and responsibilities vis-à-vis Aboriginal Peoples and ensure that the Métis National Council, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Assembly of First Nations are included in these discussions.

“The current lack of clarity with respect to the federal and provincial roles and responsibilities for Métis people enables federal off-loading to the provinces vis-à-vis Métis, and creates a fiscal imbalance for all involved. The Métis Nation wants to dialogue with all political leaders to ensure the necessary measures are taken to close the socio-economic gap and to level the playing field between the Métis Nation, other Aboriginal peoples and all Canadians. This important issue should not be ignored in the current fiscal imbalance discussions.”

The Métis National Council represents the Métis Nation in Canada at the national and international level. The Métis Nation’s homeland includes the three Prairie Provinces and extends into Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the northern United States. There are approximately 350,000 – 400,000 Métis Nation citizens in Canada.

Federal Budget falls short for the Métis Nation

OTTAWA (May 2, 2006) – Métis National Council President Clément Chartier is not impressed with the Conservative governments’ first budget announced today on Parliament Hill.

President Chartier was on hand to listen to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty deliver a budget that did not live up to the expectations of the Métis Nation.

President Chartier says, “Despite years of hard work and great progress as we experienced with the previous government, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have not stood up for the Métis Nation. It is not acceptable to ignore the years of work which lead to last November’s historic signing of the $5.1 billion dollar Kelowna Accord. The accord was endorsed by all provinces, territories and national Aboriginal organizations and yet, despite receiving clear support for this investment and record federal surpluses, this new government has not made the welfare of Canada’s first peoples and in particular, the Métis Nation, a priority.”

The Métis National Council continues to dialogue with provinces and territories which remain committed to seeing the obligations outlined in the Kelowna Accord fulfilled.

Métis Nation Disappointed with Harper Government’s Throne Speech : National President urges Conservative Government to “Think Twice” before disregarding Canada’s Commitment to the Kelowna Accord

OTTAWA (April 4, 2006) – Today, Clément Chartier, President of the Métis National Council, expressed disappointment with the Harper Government’s Throne Speech.  The Throne Speech included no specific section on Aboriginal peoples and only mentioned Aboriginal people in passing in two parts.  Moreover, the Throne Speech included no mention of the Harper Government’s commitment to the Kelowna Accord which was agreed to by the Government of Canada, all provinces and territories and the leadership of the First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples in November 2005.

“I find the fact that the Throne Speech does not even mention a commitment to the objectives of the Kelowna Accord, which was a promise made by the Conservatives during the past election, very disconcerting.  The Kelowna Accord and the financial commitments to support it was an agreement reached between the Crown and the Aboriginal peoples of Canada.  While governments of the day may change, the honour of the Crown is a constant and it is disappointing for our people to see promises from the Crown can be completely ignored,” said President Chartier.

President Chartier added, “I am asking the Conservative Government to think twice before disregarding the Kelowna Accord.  Minister Prentice, Federal Interlocutor for Métis, and, I, are currently co-chairing a Canada-Métis Nation Working Group on the Kelowna Accord.  I remain committed to that process and I am hopeful the upcoming Federal Budget will include financial commitments to the Kelowna Accord’s objectives.  However, the Conservative Government must be very aware that our people will not accept the Crown ignoring its promises yet again.”

Yesterday, the historic Manitoba Métis Federation v. Canada trial started in Winnipeg.  The case is about Canada not fulfilling its Treaty and constitutional promises to the Métis people in Manitoba in 1870.  President Chartier concluded, “We are in court 136 years later in order to hold Canada to its promises and the honour of the Crown.  Unfortunately, our history with government has more often than not, been corrupted by broken promises and sharp dealing.  I sincerely hope that the Kelowna Accord does not become a part of that shameful legacy.”