Métis citizens in Ontario are blessed to live in our traditional territories that are home to abundant variety of plants, animals, birds, fish and insects, as well as forests, wetlands, lakes and rivers they inhabit. This broad network of biological species and systems—our biodiversity—enriches our communities and provides us with water, air, as well as sources of food, wood, medicines and energy in sustaining our way of life. Conserving this biodiversity has always been our way, and continues to be the key to achieving a healthy environment for all Ontarians for years to come. Over the past number of years, the mno has made important strides in building its environment portfolio that focuses on environmental issues of interest to the Métis Nation and working with its citizens in developing policy positions, programs and procedures that preserve and protect our environment for future generations. In working with all our federal and provincial partners, the mno is/or will be carrying out an information sharing and dialogue process with the Métis Nation on the following environmental issues:

Climate Change: the scientific evidence is now overwhelming – Climate change presents very serious risks here at home and abroad, and demands an urgent global response toward reversing the trend. We must press Canada to adopt an immediate action plan to reducing green house gas emissions now and into the future. Métis people must be consulted and involved.

Species at Risk: Any plant or animal that is vulnerable to extinction, or is at risk of disappearing from lands or waters in Canada is a species at risk. The Ontario Government is reviwing its Endangered Species Act, and has contacted the mno to assist in formulating recommendations on matters of importance to Métis citizens. The mno participates, through the Métis National Council, in the work of the National Aboriginal Committee on Species at Risk.

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Review: is a formal international agreement between Canada and the US, first signed in 1972, that reflects the two countries' commitment to resolve a wide range of water quality issues facing the Great Lakes and the international section of the St. Lawrence River. Environment Canada has asked the MNO to take part in consultations. The mno provided a presentation and materials to citizens at its Annual General Assembly and will be conducting a round of consultations in communities along the Great Lakes for further consultation on the review.

Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program: aims to facilitate the engagement of inland Aboriginal groups in the regulatory and non-regulatory activities of the Federal Fisheries and Ocean’s (DFO) fish habitat management program. The objective of the aihp is to develop partnerships with Aboriginal communities to support their own efforts in developing a longer-term capacity to manage fish habitat. The mno has been working with dfo to develop pilot projects in fish habitat areas of need in the near future.

Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Consultations: In 2004/05 over 300 citizens participated in the mno’s community dialogue process and we shared the views of mno citizens with the Métis National Council, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization and Natural Resources Canada. The NWMO presented a report on the preferred option for the long term management of nuclear waste in November 2005, and we are now waiting for the Government of Canada’s response to the report and next steps. The MNO plans to be meaningfully involved once the next phase of nuclear fuel waste discussions resume.