Question Period Note: INDIGENOUS VETERANS & MÉTIS VETERANS

• Our Government is committed to supporting and recognizing Indigenous Veterans.

• We are acting on the recommendations stemming from the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs’ 11th Report, Indigenous Veterans: From Memories of Injustice to Lasting Recognition.

• A key priority is to ensure that Indigenous Veterans are aware of Veterans Affairs’ programs and services and are getting the services they need.

• We developed a strategy on outreach to Veterans and their families living in northern communities, including Indigenous Veterans in the North, and committed to completing 12 visits per year since 2017.

• Increasingly, we are partnering with others, such as Canadian Rangers, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Service Canada and Indigenous Services Canada to increase awareness of our programs and services.

• We supported various commemorative projects and memorials dedicated to Indigenous Veterans. In 2021-22, the Commemorative Partnership Program has approved 13 Indigenous projects for a total of approximately $175,000 in funding for projects in Indigenous communities.
MÉTIS VETERANS
• The Government of Canada recognizes the sacrifices and achievements of all Métis Veterans.

• The Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Contribution Agreement was signed in June 2019 between Veterans Affairs Canada and the Métis National Council.

• The Agreement was established to address concerns raised by the Métis Nation with regard to the treatment of Second World War Métis Veterans, and provides eligible Veterans and their survivors with a $20,000 recognition payment. Funds are also available through the Agreement to commemorate Métis Veterans’ sacrifices and contributions.

• The Government of Canada is committed to continue working collaboratively with the Métis National Council to ensure that Métis Veterans get the recognition they deserve.

BACKGROUND – INDIGENOUS VETERANS
Canada’s Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis and Inuit - have a proud tradition of military service. While exact numbers are difficult to determine, the rate of Indigenous participation in Canada’s military has been significant. It is estimated that as many as 12,000 Indigenous people from Canada served in the two world wars, with at least 500 of them sadly losing their lives.

Remembrance and Honouring Service: Commemoration of Indigenous Veterans is achieved through various components of Veterans Affairs Canada’s Canada Remembers Program, including memorials, Heroes Remember, the Canadian Virtual War Memorial and learning opportunities. A number of stories relating to the contribution of Indigenous Peoples’ along with classroom materials and lesson plans for students of varying ages have been published on our website. The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument (Ottawa, Ontario) honours the contributions of all Indigenous people in war and peace support operations from the WWI to today. The Francis Paghmagabow Monument (Parry Sound, Ontario) serves to commemorate Canada’s most decorated Indigenous soldier of the First World War.

In March 2021, the Commemorative Partnership Program (CPP) Terms and Conditions were amended to provide greater support to Indigenous communities. For war memorial projects in Indigenous communities, recipients may now be reimbursed up to 100% of eligible expenditures, not exceeding a maximum of $50,000. The program guidelines were updated on the website. In the spring, the department proactively reached out to Indigenous communities across the country about funding available. The outreach lead to some new applications. In 2021-22, VAC approved 13 projects totaling approximately $175,000 in funding for projects in Indigenous communities.

Serving Indigenous Veterans: We remain committed to offering high quality services to all Veterans regardless of where they live in Canada, including those living in urban, rural, remote and northern communities. Through ongoing Case Management service offering, our service teams provide services to all parts of Canada including rural and remote communities. Veterans living in those communities or on reserve can also receive in person home visits on an as needed basis. During COVID-19 pandemic, the department reached out to 355 Veterans living in the North through proactive calls in November and December 2020 to assess their needs and provide immediate help.

Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to doing its part to ensure a broad understanding of its program and service offerings in the most commonly used Indigenous languages, and has published two videos in Inuktitut and Northern Cree, intended for Canadian Rangers. Posters and banners in Indigenous languages have also been developed to further outreach in Northern Territories. Officials are working to develop information on our programs and services in the most common Indigenous languages.

Veterans Affairs Canada is also entering into a multi-year agreement with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) to broadcast a special vignette during their annual Indigenous Day Live (IDL) event held in June each year. 2021 was the first time Veterans Affairs Canada partnered with APTN on IDL. Veterans Affairs Canada aired a vignette profiling Indigenous Veteran Debbie Eisan. The event reached 434,000 potential listeners over Indigenous radio stations. The original broadcast and encore presentation reached 78,000 viewers on APTN television.

This year, we will build on the success to expand our reach within Indigenous communities to increase awareness of our benefits and services and share messages of remembrance and recognition for Indigenous Veterans. This contract also offers us the opportunity to provide greetings and to perform in-person outreach and engagement with Indigenous people through a booth/tent during the live event at the site of the main broadcast as well as the possibility of engagement in the satellite locations.

Other developments: In December 2020, the Assembly of First Nations officially announced the creation of a First Nations Veterans Council. Departmental officials are establishing regular contacts with the Veterans Council to explore collaborative opportunities to better respond to the needs of First Nations Veterans and their families.

The 2021 Census was the first time since 1971 that a question on military service was included. The 2021 military service question was asked on the short form census, which was sent to every household in Canada. The short form also collected primary demographic information, such as age, sex, gender, geography, language, and family status. Other information, such as race, Indigenous status, and socioeconomic situation, was sent to 25% of households in the long form questionnaire.
In total, there were 23,075 Indigenous Veterans counted in the census, including 10,950 First Nations, 10,440 Métis, and 755 Inuk (Inuit), as well as 930 with other/multiple affiliations. Indigenous Veterans accounted for 5.2% of Veterans in private households.

BACKGROUND — MÉTIS VETERANS

Métis are one of three recognized Indigenous peoples in Canada, along with First Nations and Inuit. Métis Veterans, who represent approximately 45% of all Indigenous Veterans, were excluded from the 2002 First Nations ex-gratia payment as there was no evidence available at the time to indicate that Métis Veterans did not receive demobilization benefits.

On 13 June 2019, the Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Contribution Agreement of $30 million was signed. The Métis National Council administers this program to recognize Second World War Métis Veterans for their pre and post-war experiences, and support commemorative initiatives that promote awareness and appreciation of Métis Veterans’ sacrifices and contributions.

Under the Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Contribution Agreement, the Métis National Council launched the Métis Veterans Legacy Program and, as of 29 June 2021, a total of 75 Recognition Payments have been awarded to Second World War Métis Veterans and survivors. On 22 February 2021, the Métis National Council launched their Commemorative Program and has established a committee to review commemorative proposals and appeals. VAC is not aware of any proposals that have been approved by the MNC.

On 29 September 2021, the Manitoba Métis Federation withdrew from the Métis National Council.

Cassidy Caron was elected as President of the Métis National Council Secretariat Inc. on 30 September 2021.

On 27 January 2022, President Caron filed a statement of claim with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against former executive members of the Métis National Council and the Manitoba Métis Federation for breach of their respective fiduciary, statutory and other legal duties.

The Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Contribution Agreement is referenced in the statement of claim (Purported Veterans Fund Assignment and Conversion) in relation to the above mentioned breaches.

A case management judge has now been assigned to the file and the process will move towards discovery in the upcoming months.

The current Métis National Council administration have finalized their recognition payment application process and have once again begun awarding payments to eligible Veterans.

The Métis National Council have requested a meeting with the Minister and Veterans Affairs Canada representatives in January 2023 to discuss a number of topics including the Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Contribution Agreement, as well as commemoration.

Veterans Affairs Canada continues to support the Métis National Council as they recognize eligible Métis Veterans and their families.

When Pressed:

Q1 – What is Veterans Affairs Canada’s (VAC) response to the statement of claim
filed by the Métis National Council?

VAC is not a party to these legal proceedings, but the Department is aware that a legal action has commenced. VAC supports the objectives and the sound administration of the Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Contribution Agreement to recognize and commemorate Second World War Métis Veterans.
Q2 – Was VAC aware of the breaches listed in the statement of claim?
VAC has established a positive working relationship with the new administration of the Métis National Council. The Department is working with them to support the objectives of the Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Contribution Agreement and ensure that Métis Veterans receive the recognition they deserve.
Q3 – What is VAC’s involvement in these proceedings?
VAC is not a party to these legal proceedings. The Department is committed to working collaboratively with the Métis National Council to ensure that Métis Veterans receive the recognition they deserve.
Q4 – Who is in charge of the MVRP?
The Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Contribution Agreement is between Veterans Affairs Canada and the Métis National Council. The Métis National Council is responsible for administering the funding and implementing the objectives of the Agreement. The Government of Canada is committed to continue working collaboratively with the Métis National Council to ensure that Métis Veterans get the recognition they deserve.
Q5. Why did VAC give a $30M lump sum contribution to the Métis National Council?
The Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Agreement was developed as a contribution to address the longstanding concerns expressed by the Métis Nation related to the pre and post-war experiences of Métis Veterans. The Agreement was undertaken with the Métis National Council for administration and distribution in the spirit of reconciliation, self-determination and furthering Métis self-government.