Justice

The Justice and Legislative Affairs Department leads national policy development, legislative analysis, and advocacy to advance Métis Nation priorities in the areas of criminal justice, policing, corrections, legislative and regulatory reform, and community safety. The Department also plays a central role in ensuring the full and proper implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA).

The Department supports the advancement of Métis self-determination and self-government by working in close collaboration with MNC’s Governing Members and engaging with federal departments, parliamentary committees, and other national and international bodies on legislative and policy initiatives. This work emphasizes the co-development of Métis-specific approaches to justice and governance, advocating for equity and recognition within Canadian legal and policy frameworks, and alignment of federal laws and policies with the rights affirmed under UNDRIP, UNDA, and the Constitution Act (1982).

Through national coordination, legal and policy advocacy, and sustained nation-to-nation dialogue, the Department is committed to addressing the overrepresentation of Métis people in the criminal justice system, strengthening recognition and implementation of Métis laws and legal traditions, and advancing Metis-led solutions in justice, safety, and governance. The Department works to ensure that Métis governments are meaningfully included in decision-making processes at every stage, helping to build a justice system that reflects and respects Metis rights, values, and priorities.