Ottawa, Ontario – January 28, 2026
The Métis National Council (MNC) welcomes Prime Minister Carney’s leadership and representation of Canada at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos and supports his vision for strengthening Canada through internal resilience, principled collaboration, and values-based growth. As Parliament enters a new sitting, this vision provides an important foundation for advancing legislation and national priorities in a way that is both inclusive and durable.
The Prime Minister’s clear emphasis on values worth defending – democratic accountability, rights recognition, and reconciliation – reflects principles that are deeply embedded in Métis governance. His remarks affirm that Indigenous peoples, including the Métis Nation, continue to play a foundational role in strengthening, advancing, and promoting these values, both domestically and internationally. We echo the Prime Minister’s call to “build bridges at home” and see a clear and growing role for Métis Governments in advancing shared national priorities through meaningful partnership with Parliament and the Government of Canada.
In recent years, Métis Governments have taken deliberate steps to strengthen multilateral engagement with Canada, ensuring section 35 rights-bearing Métis communities are meaningfully included in the design and delivery of policies and programs that affect them. Where engagement occurs early, it has led to stronger outcomes, clearer accountability and more effective implementation.
This internal capacity continues to grow. As reflected in recent national reporting, Métis are Canada’s fastest-growing Indigenous population, with a young, increasingly urban, and highly engaged labour force. The MNC’s Status of the Métis Economy Report highlights the significant and expanding contribution of Métis citizens to Canada’s economic development.
Métis-owned businesses are active in sectors essential to Canada’s sovereignty and resilience, including construction, manufacturing, natural resources, defence-related supply chains, and professional services. Métis also play a critical role in Canada’s skilled-trades workforce and nation-building projects, with 10.2% of Métis holding apprenticeship/trades certificates compared to the 8.7% of non-Indigenous Canadians. Construction is the largest industry within the Métis economy nationally representing 28.4% of Métis business revenue in 2020. Across Canada, Métis Governments are using the tools of self-government to deliver services, support inclusive economic growth, and build systems that advance long-term outcomes.
The Prime Minister’s remarks also underscore that Canada’s international strength is rooted in strong partnerships at home. From the MNC’s perspective, distinctions-based partnerships grounded in recognition, mutual accountability, and early engagement are among the most effective tools for advancing national priorities through Parliament, including the implementation of the One Canadian Economy Act, Buy Canadian policy, Build Canada Homes, and Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. Just as Canada seeks to build coalitions of like-minded states internationally, Métis Governments are forging partnerships across Indigenous nations, provincial and municipal governments, and industry to advance shared security and prosperity.
President Victoria Pruden emphasized the value of resilience and collaboration: “Prime Minister Carney’s emphasis on values-based leadership and aligning “coalitions of the willing” are principles and strategies that Métis Governments have long upheld and relied on. As Parliament returns, distinctions-based partnerships with Métis Governments are a key opportunity to advance Canada’s economic, security, and nation-building priorities. We encourage Prime Minister Carney and his cabinet to continue to build and grow strong and positive relationships with the Métis Nation, as we are integral to building Canada Strong.”
The MNC remains committed to working collaboratively with the Government of Canada in this new parliamentary sitting. Métis self-determination is not only a matter of rights; it is a source of national resilience, strengthening Canada’s ability to respond to economic, social and geopolitical challenges. We believe that practical, distinctions-based collaboration — built on early engagement and shared responsibility — will be essential to realizing the vision articulated by the Prime Minister and advancing the work before Parliament. We share his conviction that another way is possible—one that reflects the boundless potential of all Canadians and the communities they call home.