Chapter 4: Métis Priorities

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2. Canada will continue to engage with Métis governments and partners to develop measures and approaches for the redress of Métis claims and historical wrongs.

   Consistent with commitments made within the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination Discussion Tables with the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, and Manitoba Métis Federation, Canada will continue to collaborate to develop expedited options with a view to settling their respective outstanding Métis claims. (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada)

3. Consistent with the commitment to advance approaches for the recognition and implementation of Métis rights, Canada will continue to collaborate with Métis governments and partners through Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination Discussion Tables (where applicable) and other mechanisms to co-develop approaches and/or processes that facilitate a whole-of-government approach for determining, recognizing, and protecting the exercise of Métis rights recognized and affirmed by Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

   Consistent with the commitment to enter into arrangements with Indigenous partners that establish an agreed-upon process when fulfilling the duty to consult, Canada will collaborate with Métis governments and partners to co-develop or update and fully implement their respective Consultation Agreements with Canada through an effective and efficient whole-of-government approach to consultation and accommodation that aligns with the UN Declaration. (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada)

4. Consistent with the commitments set out in the Memorandum of Understanding for Advancing Reconciliation (MOU) signed in 2018, as well as under the UN Declaration and other mechanism, Canada will continue to advance reconciliation between Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) and Canada by fulfilling its commitments in the MOU by co-developing agreements and shared solutions regarding the subject areas listed at 1.2, as well as other items of mutual interest. Negotiations will continue to focus on determining MNBC’s Aboriginal Rights under Section 35, of the Constitution Act, 1982, in a manner that is consistent with rights-recognition approaches and implementation. In parallel with the section 35 determination negotiations, Canada commits to advancing the co-development of practical agreements or shared solutions that focus on processes and service delivery. (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada)
5. Consistent with the commitment to co-develop approaches for the implementation of An Act respecting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children, youth and families (the Act) that affirm rights to self-determination and jurisdiction, Canada will collaborate with provincial and territorial governments to seek to ensure that policies, practices and approaches taken to implement the Act uphold the inherent Métis right to self-determination, and rights of children, youth and their families affirmed in the UN Declaration by advancing substantive equality for Métis-specific priorities and principles, including sustainable and predictable funding, Métis Data Sovereignty and Métis social determinants of wellbeing.(Indigenous Services Canada)
6. Engage with each Métis government negotiating and implementing self-government, to co-develop an adaptation (or annex) to Canada’s Collaborative Self-Government Fiscal Policy to address the various forms of Métis self-government. (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada)
7. Co-develop measures to advance the renewed fiscal relationship set out in the Canada – Métis Nation Accord. (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada)

Civil and political rights (articles 6, 7, 9, 17, 33, 35, 36)

The Government of Canada will take the following actions in consultation and cooperation with Métis:

8. In order to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and resilience of Métis communities, co-develop measures to facilitate effective identification of and response to threats to Métis security, including, but not limited to: 
   • the provision of information to MNC and its Governing Members regarding threats to Métis security, including specific threats to communities and infrastructure
   • the provision of national security-related information to MNC and its Governing Members that may impact Métis individuals and/or communities
   • ensuring more accurate and effective identification of threats to Métis security
   • supporting technical capacity to receive and respond to provided information and to ensure responses include the procedures and protocols of the Métis
   • measures to protect the privacy and information of Métis citizens, including ensuring that no commitment or activity in this action plan measure requires MNC and its Governing Members to provide information relating to Métis citizens, governments and communities to the Government of Canada. (Canadian Security Intelligence Service)
9. Conclude a Justice and Policing Sub-Accord through the Canada-Métis Nation Permanent Bilateral Mechanism in order to end over-representation, reduce recidivism rates, ensure preventative and Métis culturally responsive restorative justice, achieve equity within Canada’s justice system(s) for Métis citizens and advance Métis inherent rights to self-determination and self-government, including, but not limited to:
   • federal data sharing agreements
   • sustainable funding and capacity for Métis governments to support their citizens incarcerated, interacting with, and having lived experience in the justice system, through initiatives including but not limited to Métis specific restorative justice, comprehensive victims, family, and community services and supports, Gladue services, and other programs and services
   • Métis law and legal systems
   • policing
   • other undertakings in relation to advancing the role of Métis governments (Justice Canada and Public Safety Canada)

Participation in decision-making and indigenous institutions (articles 5, 18, 19, 34)

The Government of Canada will take the following actions in consultation and cooperation with Métis:

10. Consistent with the commitment to co-develop approaches for the implementation of the right to self-determination, Canada and the Métis Nation will advance the following measures under the Canada-Métis Nation Permanent Bilateral Mechanism:
    • co-develop and implement co-development principles (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada) 
    • co-develop nation-to-nation, government-to-government processes for the co-development of legislative and regulatory initiatives pursuant to section 5 of the UN Declaration Act that implement Articles 18 and 19. (Justice Canada, various departments and agencies)

Economic, health and social rights (articles 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)

The Government of Canada will take the following actions in consultation and cooperation with Métis:

11. Consistent with the commitment to co-develop approaches for the implementation of the right to self-determination and rights to health affirmed in the UN Declaration, Canada will ensure work continues with Métis governments and representative institutions to realize Métis specific equal access to health services, improve equitable health outcomes for Métis, and ensure the Métis Vision for Health informs the co-development of the distinctions-based indigenous health legislation. (Indigenous Services Canada)
12. Ensure that the unique differences in how poverty is experienced among First Nations, Inuit, and Métis are recognized in the design and delivery of Government of Canada programs, policies, and services by working with the Métis National Council (MNC) to co-develop Métis-specific indicators of poverty and well-being. (Employment and Social Development Canada)

Education, information and media (articles 14, 15, 16)

The Government of Canada will take the following actions in consultation and cooperation with Métis:

13. In order to enable Métis citizens to access quality elementary and secondary education that is centered on Métis culture and upholds article 14 of the UN Declaration, which affirms the right of the Métis to establish and control Métis education systems and institutions, the federal government will establish, through co-development with the Métis, collaborative working relationships, policies and approaches to Métis elementary and secondary education. (Indigenous Services Canada)

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