Earlier this month, the MMF sent a comprehensive list of questions to the federal political parties, asking about policies and promises that will directly affect M茅tis Citizens, their families and traditional lands.
The questions that were asked are provided below, along with the responses from the Liberal Party of Canada, which is the only party to respond so far.
1. RECONCILIATION
The Manitoba Metis Federation believes that when the Crown and the M茅tis Nation鈥檚 Manitoba Metis Community have dialogue, renew or build relationships, negotiate rather than litigate, and find creative and mutually agreeable solutions, they can collectively advance the constitutionally mandated process of the core values to Reconciliation.
On November 15, 2016, the Manitoba Metis Federation and the Government of Canada signed a Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation to establish a formal negotiation process to jointly develop a renewed Nation-to-Nation, Government-to-Government relationship between the Crown and the Manitoba M茅tis Community. The negotiations between the Manitoba Metis Federation and Canada under the Framework Agreement are active and ongoing.
Through this agreement, how will your Government commit to working on a Nation-to-Nation, Government-to-Government basis with the M茅tis to advance reconciliation, implement resources into communities and renew the relationship through co-operation, respect for M茅tis rights, and ending the status quo?
If elected, what action plan with concreate objectives will your party make to uphold the core values of reconciliation as they specifically relate to the Manitoba M茅tis experience?
Would this action plan include a legislative framework for reconciliation?
Liberal Party response: A re-elected Liberal government will continue to work collaboratively through the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation to accelerate this work on a Nation to Nation and Government to Government basis. We would continue to implement the related joint action plan with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation announced in September of 2018, which included a federal investment of $154.3 million to the Manitoba M茅tis Federation to support progress on the shared priorities set out in that joint document.
A re-elected Liberal government would move forward 鈥� in close collaboration with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation 鈥� to continue to deliver better and timelier distinctions-based support. We will continue to invest in the things that make a real difference in the lives of the M茅tis Nation in Manitoba and its communities. This would include a commitment to addressing critical infrastructure needs in the M茅tis Nation Manitoba Community by 2030, and providing new investments to support the ongoing operation and maintenance of this infrastructure. It would also include co-developing distinctions-based Indigenous Health legislation 鈥� backed with the investments needed to deliver this care 鈥� and the development and delivery of services for the M茅tis Nation鈥檚 Manitoba Community .
A re-elected Liberal government will also host a First Ministers鈥� Meeting on First Nations, Inuit, and M茅tis Nation priorities, and continue to advance meaningful inclusion of M茅tis Nation partners in federal and inter-governmental decision-making processes that have an impact on Indigenous rights and interests. This is in addition to continuing to meet regularly through the Canada M茅tis Accord, and annual Crown-M茅tis Nation Summits.
A re-elected Liberal government would work in partnership with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation on their reconciliation priorities, including through new legislation.
2. ECONOMIC
The Manitoba M茅tis are continuing the path to economic and social development and building strategic relationships. The Manitoba M茅tis has seen significant investments and advances in portfolios such as Housing, Economic Development, Health, Employment and Training. Forging significant headway toward the redress of historic wrongs and the self-determination of the M茅tis Nation.
If your party forms government, describe how you would work in partnership with the M茅tis Nation. What supports will you offer to assist us in closing the economic gap between the Manitoba M茅tis and other Canadians achieve our rightful place as partners in Confederation and further, contributing as economic partners in growth?
Liberal Party response: A re-elected Liberal government will continue to make progress on the priorities of the Manitoba M茅tis Federation, meeting regularly through the Canada M茅tis Accord, and annual Crown-M茅tis Nation Summits. We will move forward 鈥� in close collaboration with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation 鈥� to continue to deliver better and more timely distinctions-based support. We will continue the work of advancing self-determination with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation and investing in the things that make a real difference in the lives of the M茅tis Nation in Manitoba.
A re-elected Liberal government will also host a First Ministers鈥� Meeting on First Nations, Inuit, and M茅tis Nation priorities, and continue to advance meaningful inclusion of M茅tis Nation partners in federal and inter-governmental decision-making processes that have an impact on Indigenous rights and interests.
Building on the significant investments already made to support M茅tis Nation priorities in the areas of housing, skills and training, early learning and child care, and governance capacity, Budget 2019 continued this progress by investing $50 million over five years to enhance the funding of the M茅tis Capital Corporations to support the start-up and expansion of M茅tis small and medium-sized enterprises, and up to $100 million to establish an Indigenous Growth Fund to further encourage investments in Indigenous-led businesses by Aboriginal Financial Institutions, including M茅tis Capital Corporations. We also provided $362 million over 10 years to support a M茅tis Nation-led post-secondary education strategy.
A re-elected Liberal government will further build on this progress by establishing a new national benefits-sharing framework to ensure that the M茅tis Nation鈥檚 Manitoba M茅tis Community directly benefits from major resource projects. We will also move forward with a new target to have at least five percent of federal contracts awarded to businesses led by Indigenous Peoples.
Moreover, a re-elected Liberal government would move forward on addressing critical infrastructure needs in the M茅tis Nation鈥檚 Manitoba M茅tis Community by 2030, and providing new investments to support the ongoing operation and maintenance of this infrastructure.
3. HEALTH AND WELLNESS
The Manitoba Metis Federation recognizes a gap within the health care system and M茅tis life circumstances which have produced a burden of illnesses (such as diabetes, heart disease and shorter life expectancy) and an ongoing struggle for the M茅tis 水果视频 to obtain medications. The Daniels Decision observes a clear obligation that the government owes to the M茅tis. The Manitoba Metis Federation has taken a leadership role and administered its first prescription drug program (PDP) under M茅tis Health Benefits effective November 16, 2017.
If elected, will your government collaborate with the Manitoba M茅tis Government to ensure the support, success and expansion of a M茅tis specific program to enhance our Manitoba Metis Federation-initiated M茅tis Health Benefits, including medications initiated to address and solve the historic and continued health care crisis facing M茅tis Citizens?
Liberal Party response: A re-elected Liberal government will co-develop distinctions-based Indigenous Health legislation 鈥� backed with the investments needed to deliver this care 鈥� and the development and delivery of services for the M茅tis Nation鈥檚 Manitoba M茅tis Community. We would work in close collaboration with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation to co-develop this legislation and the investments associated with it.
4. CHILD WELFARE
The over-representation of M茅tis in Child and Family Services system has been called a 鈥渉umanitarian crisis鈥� (Government of Canada) and is deeply rooted in inter-generational trauma and colonial practices and policies. Studies show that children in care have poorer outcomes and are at greater risk, of homelessness, addictions, and involvement in the justice system. Systems must change to improve the path for M茅tis children and families.
If your government is elected, will you implement Bill C-92 and in what ways would you work with the Manitoba Metis Federation to transcend old and flawed models, reform frameworks for child and family services, and support M茅tis families and their ability to stay together and flourish?
Liberal Party response: A re-elected Liberal government will work in partnership with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation to ensure that the Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and M茅tis Children, Youth and Families is fully implemented, with long-term, predictable, and sufficient funding to support the full implementation of the Act.
5. LANGUAGE
Languages connect us to cultural history of identity and belonging. The M茅tis are well known as speakers of many languages. In addition to others the M茅tis spoke our own language Michif. According the UNESCO Atlas of the Worlds Languages a third of the world鈥檚 languages are considered endangered and have fewer than 1,000 speakers left, including Michif which is critically endangered.
If elected, what supports would your government contribute to the Manitoba Metis Federation 水果视频 for a distinctions-based approach to Indigenous language revitalization projects that will preserve, promote and revitalize Michif, the traditional language spoken by the M茅tis?
Liberal Party response: Building on the significant investments already made to support M茅tis Nation priorities in the areas of housing, skills and training, early learning and child care, and governance capacity, Budget 2019 continued this progress, including funding for a distinctions-based approach to Indigenous language revitalization projects with $333.7 million over five years to preserve, promote and revitalize Indigenous languages, including Michif, the traditional language spoken by the M茅tis.
A re-elected Liberal government will work with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation to ensure that the Indigenous Languages Act is fully implemented, in order to preserve, promote, and revitalize Indigenous languages in Canada, including Michif, supported with long-term, predictable, and sufficient funding.
6. MMWIG INQUIRY AND IMPLEMENTATION
The final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls reports the history of colonization has further generated a hierarchy of identity, resulting in conflicts within the M茅tis 水果视频 and drawing attention away from the ongoing marginalization that M茅tis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people face. The Manitoba Metis Federation is working with the RCMP and Winnipeg Police to find information on unsolved murdered cases, which includes a $10,000 open reward that would lead to conviction or even the recovery of missing bodies to assist in the closure and of healing for M茅tis families and communities.
If elected, what type of resources will your government allocate to take the urgent measures that are required as described in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and how will you work with the Manitoba Metis Federation to implement M茅tis-specific options?
Liberal Party response: A re-elected Liberal government will to work with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission鈥檚 Calls to Action, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls鈥� Calls for Justice. We are committed to working in partnership with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation to develop a national action plan 鈥� as called for by the National Inquiry 鈥� to implement its calls for justice, which is distinctions鈥揵ased and flexible.
7. CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTATION
Evidence-based perspectives and scientists from around the world have warned that global warming will have widespread economic, environmental and health impacts. The Manitoba M茅tis have a vital connection to our lands and waters and are committed to participating in a sustainable future to ensure our traditional social and economic M茅tis rights are protected. The M茅tis are critical in making meaningful and effective adaptation and mitigation decisions for current and future generations, and to help Canadian society move from risk to resilience.
If elected, what is your government鈥檚 climate change strategy to incorporate the Manitoba M茅tis through their MMF Government to take preventive steps and strengthen our economy?
What specific investment will your government make in our M茅tis 水果视频 to mitigate and adapt to climate change?
Liberal Party response: Climate change is already having a serious and irreversible effect on people, on our communities, and on our economy. We can鈥檛 afford half-measures or a wait-and-see approach. We have already put a price on pollution to help reduce emissions, and introduced a new rebate system that puts more money back in the pockets of Canadians. We will now build on our national climate plan with new measures to help move Canada toward a net-zero emissions future, including strengthening existing rules to cut emissions from Canada鈥檚 biggest polluters, including oil and gas.
Indigenous stewardship and traditional knowledge are invaluable resources in our efforts to fight climate change and protect a healthy environment for future generations. That is why in 2017 our government provided $31.4 million over 5 years to implement the Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program. This program will continue to support M茅tis Nation Governing Members in developing 水果视频-based climate monitoring initiatives.
A re-elected Liberal government will continue to work in partnership with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation as we develop and implement measures to fight climate change.
Building on the $2 billion we have already invested in helping communities prepare for and prevent weather related disasters like floods and fires, we will move forward with an additional $1 billion investment over the next decade in the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, so communities have a proactive, permanent and sustainable way to address the emerging threats of climate change. M茅tis Nation governments are specifically included as eligible recipients under this program.
Our government also announced this summer that it is investing $3 million, over three years, to support five M茅tis Nation-led projects through the Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program. These projects will support the protection and conservation of M茅tis Nation lands and waters.
A re-elected Liberal government will continue to work in partnership with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation to combat climate change and preserve Canada鈥檚 natural habitat.
8. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Canada-M茅tis Nation Post-Secondary Education Sub-Accord seeks to prioritize M茅tis Nation students and was designed to counteract the deep-rooted injustices which have prevented M茅tis Youth from pursuing equal opportunities in post-secondary education.
How will your government support the MMF to help our M茅tis students attain their education and career goals?
If elected, will your government commit to keeping the 10 year investment for a M茅tis Nation stream of ASET funding?
Liberal Party response: Through Budget 2018 our government invested $325 million over five years, and $67 million per year ongoing in the M茅tis Nation stream of the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program, which supports employment services, skills development and job training. Building on the significant investments already made to support M茅tis Nation priorities in the areas of housing, skills and training, early learning and child care, and governance capacity, Budget 2019 continued this progress by including $362 million over 10 years to support a M茅tis Nation-led post-secondary education strategy.
A re-elected Liberal government will remain committed to these long-term, predictable and sustainable investments in M茅tis Nation education and will continue to work with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation to make further investments in your priorities.
9. CONSULTATION AND ACCOMMODATION
The duty to Consult and Accommodate with the Manitoba M茅tis is a Section 35 Constitutional requirement before decision-making is done by governments. Consistent with Resolution #8, The Manitoba Metis Federation is the first contact and facilitator of Manitoba Metis Consultation.
If elected, what will your government do to ensure full and proper consultation and accommodation of the Manitoba Metis Community includes effective offset or compensation measures regarding the development of crown land?
What will your government do to ensure proponents undertaking major resource development will fully, properly, and meaningfully engage and promote the participation of the Manitoba Metis Federation?
Liberal Party response: A re-elected Liberal government will continue to fully and properly engage it鈥檚 duty to consult the Manitoba M茅tis Community on issues impacting its rights and interests. We will also continue to work collaboratively on accommodation measures, which can include such things as Crown Land.
After the Harper Conservatives failed to protect the environment, eroded public trust, and paralyzed major projects, we put in place better rules through Bill C-69 that:
- Protect our environment, fish and waterways;
- Rebuild public trust and respect Indigenous rights;
- Strengthen our economy and encourage investment; and
- Create new jobs and economic opportunities for the middle class.
Andrew Scheer has promised oil lobbyists that he would kill Bill C-69 if he is elected.
A re-elected Liberal government will also establish a new national benefits-sharing framework to ensure that the M茅tis Nation鈥檚 Manitoba M茅tis Community directly benefits from major resource projects.
10. LAND CLAIMS
In March 2013, the Supreme Court recognized the obligations to the M茅tis people enshrined in the Manitoba Act: 鈥淭he unfinished business of reconciliation of the M茅tis people with Canadian sovereignty is a matter of national and constitutional import.鈥�
As the representative of Manitoba鈥檚 M茅tis Community, the Manitoba Metis Federation鈥檚 objective is to negotiate with Canada to reach a land claims agreement that will address this outstanding constitutional grievance.
If you were to become Prime Minister, will you commit to negotiating with MMF to Settle the 2013 land claim decision by the Supreme Court?
If elected, what can you commit to the thousands and thousands of Metis across western Canada that would change their lives and make them feel apart of confederation?
Liberal Party response: A re-elected Liberal government will continue to negotiate and make progress with the Manitoba M茅tis Federation to resolve the 2013 land claim decision by the Supreme Court.
A re-elected federal government will provide federal support for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the M茅tis Nation entering Confederation.
11. CITIZENSHIP
A major topic of concern for the Metis Nation is the concept of Metis identity and verification of Metis Citizenship. Many people have come forward in recent years and have used the term Metis to identify themselves, these individuals or organizations are not accepted by the Manitoba Metis Government because they are not apart of the only and historic Metis Nation. These false claims open a floodgate of hundreds of thousands of people trying to identify as a M茅tis, with a significant cost to the Federal Government, cultural appropriation and damaging the representation of Metis rights.
How will your government mitigate the recognition of individuals and groups who falsely claim M茅tis ancestry?
Liberal Party response: The Liberal Party of Canada supports the right of self-determination for the M茅tis Nation and believes these are issues which are most appropriately resolved by M茅tis Governments. The federal government does not, and should not, define who is a member of the M茅tis Nation, nor does it maintain a registry of M茅tis Nation individuals.