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Métis Nation Releases Compilation of Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Policy Papers

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Ottawa ON (March 11 2005) – Today, the Métis National Council released its compilation of policy papers from the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable sectoral sessions process. The papers focus on the areas of Health, Life Long Learning, Housing, Economic Opportunities, Negotiations and Accountability.

In order to prepare these policy papers, the Métis Nation undertook a series of consultations with Métis leadership, Métis community representatives, officials working in Métis program and services delivery, academics and experts in these respective sectors. Clément Chartier, President of the Métis National Council stated, “I would like to thank all of the people who participated in our consultations and represented the Métis Nation in the various sectoral sessions. I look forward to working with the Government of Canada in order to implement the excellent ideas, proposals and recommendations that were brought forth on behalf of the Métis people.”

While each policy paper includes a series of specific outcomes relating to the specific sectors, several main themes flow throughout the papers and their recommendations:

Recognition: There is a need for the Government of Canada to formally recognize the Métis Nation’s governments and their respective jurisdiction and responsibility to govern their own affairs and deliver services to Métis people. Based upon this recognition, intergovernmental government-to-government relationships between the Government of Canada, the Métis Nation and other parties (e.g., provinces) can be successfully implemented.

Reconciliation: The Supreme Court of Canada has said that reconciliation with Aboriginal peoples must occur and that it can only occur through negotiations. The Métis remain the only constitutionally recognized Aboriginal peoples with which the Government of Canada still refuses to formally negotiate with even after the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Powley. This impediment must be overcome in order to begin the process of true reconciliation with the Métis people.

Inclusion: There is a large policy vacuum in the federal system with respect to how to deal with the Métis. This makes many departments hesitant in dealing with the Métis or unaware of how to deal with the Métis Nation’ unique governance structures and institutions. The 2003 Speech from the Throne commitment to find the place of the Métis within federal policies must be realized. A collaborative process, to achieve this commitment, must be put into place. Through establishing a coherent and consistent approach to Métis engagement and involvement systemic exclusion for Aboriginal programming by intent or by design will be eliminated (e.g., Health Canada’s current exclusionary approach to Métis).

Self-Sufficiency: A key value and aspiration of the Métis people has always been self-sufficiency. Métis people pay federal and provincial taxes (e.g., approximately $550 million annually in personal income taxes alone). Métis do not seek a ‘handout’ from any level of government. The Métis Nation seeks strategic investments in their governance structures and institutions to improve the quality of life of its citizens on par with other Canadians. Numerous strategic investments were identified, including: child care, support for Métis education trusts, community personal health care workers, a patient capital fund for economic development, etc..

Building on Success: The Government of Canada must build on what is working and producing results rather than continuing to establish new delivery structures and institutions for every new federal program. Human Resources Social Development Canada’s (HRSDC) Aboriginal Human Resource Development Strategy (AHRDS) was highlighted as a best practice. This developmental platform should be enhanced by HRSD and built upon by other federal departments.

Strengthening Accountability: The Métis Nation believes in strengthening the accountability of the Government of Canada and Métis governments and institutions to Métis people. Strengthening accountability will come through building on what is working, horizontally managing resources, setting clear targets and measuring results and moving towards a fiscal transfer relationship. There is a clear need to negotiate and implement a Métis Nation-Canada Accountability Framework in order to move forward on these objectives.

Collaboration: There is a need to get partners working together to achieve better results. The Métis Nation is supportive of working collaboratively with the Government of Canada and provinces from Ontario west in a Métis-specific multilateral process (e.g., expanding the existing Métis Nation Multilateral Process on Harvesting and Access to Resources) to achieve this.

The Métis National Council continues to participate in the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable follow up work in order to turn many of these recommendations into outcomes for the upcoming Policy Retreat between the Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Aboriginal Leaders, as well as, the First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues.