Question Period Note: Métis Self-Government in Ontario

N.A.

• On February 23, 2023, Government of Canada signed a Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement with the Métis Nation of Ontario.
• The Agreement recognizes the Métis Nation of Ontario as an Indigenous Government and focuses on internal matters such as citizenship, leadership selection, and internal operations.
• The Agreement commits the parties to negotiate toward a future self-governance Treaty and those negotiations will be initiating in Fall 2025.

N.A.

If pressed on distinct historical ‘Métis communities’ in Ontario
• The Supreme Court of Canada affirmed section 35 Métis rights and established a legal test to determine Métis identity for the purposes of claiming these rights in the 2003 Powley decision.
• The Government of Canada and the Métis Nation of Ontario are advancing discussions in a manner consistent with the Supreme Court of Canada in Powley.
• The Agreement does not address harvesting or land-related matters or rights. If pressed on Bill C-53
• When Parliament prorogued on January 6, 2025, Bill C-53 died on the Order Paper.
• The Government of Canada remains committed to recognizing the Métis Nation of Ontario in law and will work with them on a preferred path forward. If pressed on the judicial review filed by the Wabun Tribal Council
• The Wabun Tribal Council filed an application for judicial review with respect of the February 2023 Agreement reached between the Government of Canada and the Métis Nation of Ontario.
• As this matter is currently before the Court, the Government of Canada is not in a position to comment further at this time. If pressed on the Métis National Council Report (“National Definition of Métis: A Review of Communities in Ontario”)
• The Government of Canada acknowledges the work of Métis National Council's Expert Panel and the release of their final report.