Crown-Métis Relationship ‘Model of Reconciliation’
Ottawa, Ont. – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used his third annual participation in the Crown-Metis Summit to highlight how important the relationship has grown to be over the years. “I really want to put forward this relationship as the model of what reconciliation can be,” stated Trudeau.
During the Summit, the leaders formalized a Canada-Métis Nation Accord on Economic Development, with an investment of $50 million over five years, to support the start-up and expansion of Métis small and medium-sized enterprises. This year’s Summit also marked the third meeting between the Prime Minister and the Métis National Council since the signing of the Canada-Métis Nation Accord in 2017. The Métis Nation is represented by the Métis National Council and its governing members: the Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta, and Métis Nation British Columbia.
As outlined in Budget 2019, the Government of Canada is investing $362 million over 10 years and $40 million per year in ongoing support for a Métis Nation-led post-secondary education strategy. Métis National Council President Clément Chartier applauded the dedication of the Prime Minister to fulfilling his vision of reconciliation, saying the Metis Nation has witnessed it in action working with his cabinet ministers on Métis Nation priorities under the Canada-Métis Nation Accord. He presented the Prime Minister with the Order of the Metis Nation, the highest award for people who have made a significant contribution to the Métis. The Summit opening also included a short video of 98 year-old Paul Delorme, a veteran of the Dieppe raid in 1942, receiving the first cheque of $20,000 under the $30-million Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Agreement that was put into effect at the end of the Summit by Métis Nation Veterans Minister David Chartrand and federal Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay.
The Summit then reviewed progress in social and economic policy areas including child and family services, languages, health, post-secondary education, economic development and homelessness. It also looked at the new fiscal relationship between the federal government and Métis Nation governments and plans to improve data collection and track results of the many federal investments in the Métis Nation. The Summit set Year 3 Priorities which will include: education K-12; justice and policing; youth and sports; Métis s35 rights; environment, clean growth and infrastructure; and Métis Nation 2020.
It concluded with the signing of sub-accords under the Canada-Métis Nation Accord in the areas of post-secondary education, economic development, homelessness and governance funding.
“Creating a space for respectful yet challenging dialogue is a necessary step to establishing a meaningful and lasting relationship between the Métis Nation and Canada,” said Glen McCallum, President of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan. “On behalf of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, I appreciate the efforts of the federal and Métis leaders willing to address the real issues that affect our people today and in the future. We look forward to having our voice heard and improving policies and systems that affect the lives of all Métis people.”
