OTTAWA -- The Métis Nation of Ontario applauded the mandate letters issued by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the federal Cabinet that were publicly released Tuesday.
While the MNO welcomed the inclusion of Métis communities and the Métis Nation in the mandate letters issued to all Minister, it was extremely pleased with the express direction to Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller to:
Continue moving forward on Self Government Recognition and Implementation Agreements with the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Métis Nation of Ontario, and the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, and on the Self-Government Framework Agreement with the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, and, as set out in our permanent bilateral process, meet regularly with Métis Nation partners to make progress on Métis priorities.
MNO President Margaret Froh said, “The express inclusion of our Métis government—here in Ontario—in a federal mandate letter is a historic first for Ontario Métis. Never before have we seen a Prime Minister of Canada so committed to working with us. We look forward to working with Minister Miller on implementing this commitment.”
In June 2019, the MNO, the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and the Métis Nation of Alberta each signed Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements with Canada. These agreements recognize the mandates and jurisdictions of each of these Métis governments within their respective provinces.
“For the MNO, the full implementation of its self-government agreement with Canada is a fundamental part of implementing the inherent right of the Métis people to self-determination and self-government as recognized by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982,” concluded President Froh.
Copies of these letters are available here.