New Ontario
Cabinet Seen As Important ‘Turning Point’
in Crown-Aboriginal Relations in Province
TORONTO (October 30, 2007) ---
The leadership of the Métis Nation of Ontario
(MNO) enthusiastically welcomed the announcement
of Premier Dalton McGuinty’s new Ontario
Cabinet. Tony Belcourt, President of the MNO,
was one of the invited guests who attended the
swearing-in ceremony that was held in Toronto
today.
“This new Ontario Cabinet
signals an important turning point in the relationship
between the government and Aboriginal peoples
in this province. The appointment of the Hon.
Michael Bryant, as the first Minister to solely
represent the interests of Aboriginal peoples
around the Cabinet table, is truly historic. For
years, Aboriginal leaders have pointed out the
inherent conflict of having the Attorney General
or Minister for Natural Resources also acting
as the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Premier
McGuinty has not only acted to address this issue,
but he has appointed the ideal person for the
job – a person who knows our issues, who
is sensitive to them and who has the kind of political
currency needed in order to advance our issues
at the Cabinet table,” said Belcourt.
Gary Lipinski, MNO Chair, added,
“With Minister Bryant’s appointment
and the recommendations from the Ipperwash Inquiry
report, we have strong momentum to move forward
on strengthening the relationship between the
government and the Métis people. More specifically,
we look forward to moving forward on our priorities
of signing an Ontario-Métis Nation Framework
Agreement, improving the educational outcomes
for Métis students in the province and
addressing the pressing housing needs of Métis
families with Minister Bryant and Ministers Watson,
Milloy and Wynne.”
President Belcourt also welcomed
the appointments of the Hon. Donna Cansfield as
Minister for Natural Resources, the Hon. Gerry
Phillips as Minister for Energy and the Hon. Michael
Gravelle as Minister for Northern Development
and Mines. “We look forward to working with
these three Ministers to ensure Ontario is meeting
its constitutional obligations to consult and
accommodate Métis communities in relation
to energy and resource development across the
province.”
“Both Ministers Phillip and
Gravelle know the Métis people well and
we look forward to once again working with these
honourable men,” added Belcourt. “We
also look forward to working with Minister Cansfield
on implementing the historic MNO-MNR Harvesting
Agreement and renewing our discussions with MNR
on harvesting and other Métis access to
resource issues.”
The MNO also acknowledged the efforts
and work of David Ramsay in his previous roles
as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister
for MNR. “David Ramsay was the first Minister
in Canada to negotiate and enter into an agreement
on Métis harvesting rights, following the
release of the Supreme Court of Canada’s
decision in R. v. Powley. His efforts show that
if the political will is there, Aboriginal peoples
and governments can resolve their issues at the
negotiating table, rather than in the court. On
behalf of the Métis people in this province,
I want to thank him for doing the right and honourable
thing,” said Lipinski.
Belcourt concluded, “Premier
McGuinty’s new team signals an exciting
road ahead for the Métis people in this
province. We see today’s announcement as
a positive and proactive approach to Aboriginal
issues, so that our work is focused on cooperative
approaches rather than those, which are confrontational.
We are very optimistic for the future.”
The Métis are a distinct
Aboriginal people with a unique culture, language
and heritage, and with an ancestral Homeland that
centres around Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan,
Alberta, British Columbia, parts of the Northwest
Territories, as well as the northwestern United
States. The Métis played an instrumental
role in the shaping of Canada and work tirelessly
to share their culture, music, traditions and
knowledge of the environment with their fellow
Canadians. Today, the Métis live, work,
raise their families and pay taxes in communities
all across Canada.
CONTACT:
Chelsey
Quirk
Communications Assistant
Work: 613-798-1488 Ext. 104
Cell: 613-299-6085
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