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PROVISIONAL COUNCIL OF THE MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO
VIDEO CONFERENCE MEETING
 
March 27, 2022
 
The Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) met for a virtual meeting on March 27, 2022. The meeting included Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizen observers. The following are highlights from that meeting:
 
President’s Update:
 
President Froh thanked Senator Ethier for the Opening Prayer, welcomed PCMNO members and citizens, and acknowledged staff working to support the meeting. President Froh discussed activities and events of note, including several PCMNO workshops held regarding strategic planning next steps, updates on draft key policies, Q3 financials and Budget 2022-2023.
 
Efforts are currently underway on the development and submission of fiscal workplans and year end reporting for MNO Community Councils.
 
President Froh also remarked on the MNO’s COVID-19 response, including continued efforts to share updates on provincial health and safety protocols and an invitation sent to citizens in February 2022, to participate in the MNO’s COVID-1 Vaccine Survey
 
President Froh also spoke about the recent MNO activities and events, including:• The second annual Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Leadership Symposium, held February 26, 2022
 
      • Virtual March Break Camp
      • First ever Post-Secondary Resiliency Gathering
      • An information session to support citizens serving on Indigenous Education Councils across Ontario
      • First ever Climate Change Forum
      • The MNO Veterans Council meeting
      • Local community meetings and events and Annual General Meetings (AGMs)
President Froh also spoke about her participation at a meeting with the Presidents of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) and Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S), and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.
The meeting was held to discuss the government’s commitment to advancing Métis self-government in Ontario and commitments under MNO’s Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement (MGRSA), including federal recognition legislation moving forward with the development of federal Métis Claims Policy.
 
At the Métis National Council (MNC) level, Froh spoke about the senior officials’ participation in meetings under the Permanent Bilateral Mechanism (PBM).
 
Preparations are also underway by the Métis Delegation part of the Indigenous Delegation to the Vatican, and their intention to lobby for the release of church records and Métis artifacts
 
Self-Government:
 
      • The signing of Regional Implementation Agreement (RIA) Workplans, by Regions 3 and 5
      • An All-citizen Town Hall on Self-Government, held by Region 6
      • Efforts by interested Regions, to move forward with hiring regional staff to support self-government work
      • The PCMNO Workshop held in February 2022 for Regions interested in opening a regional bank account
Registry Review:
 
An online feedback portal (survey) to be established to allow for continued citizen feedback, which will remain open until April 4, 2022. A “What We Heard Report” being prepared for presentation to the PCMNO.
President Froh thanked citizens and the PCMNO for their continued efforts to work together on behalf of MNO communities and citizens.
 
Report from Prosperity Trust
Rachel Bayley, Regional Manager, Indigenous Trust Services, The Canada Trust Company
Jack Jamieson, Vice-President, Indigenous Services, T.E. Wealth
 
Bayley and Jamieson were on hand to present an update on the MNO’s Prosperity Trust. President Froh commented on the significance of the Trust as a long-term investment to support MNO communities.
 
Community Relations Updates
Elizabeth Harvey, Director of Intergovernmental and Community Relations
 
Harvey reviewed the distributed briefing note and related recommendation, which provided an update on the outcome of the expression of interest issued, seeking a Chief Electoral Officer to oversee the MNO Community Council elections until March 31, 2023.
 
A prior recommendation was presented to the PCMNO for MNO Community Relations staff to act as Chief Electoral Officer; the PCMNO did not support the recommendation, citing the need for the Chief Electoral Officer to be independent from the Secretariat and Community Councils as well, for the MNO to consider establishing an independent entity for elections, similar to Elections Canada and Elections Ontario.
 
MNO Chief Electoral Officer Appointment
 
It was resolved that pursuant to MNO Electoral Code: Part A, the PCMNO appoints Paul DeVillers as the MNO Chief Electoral Officer to oversee the MNO Community Council Elections in accordance with MNO Electoral Code: Part B and Community Council Electoral Codes for a term appointment, from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023
 
Report from Métis Voyageur Development Fund
Paul DeVillers, Chair, Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF)
Steven Morse, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) MVDF
 
Paul DeVillers and Steven Morse jointly reviewed the distributed presentation titled, “An Interim Report to the Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario.”
Current activities of the MVDF include:
 
      • Continuing to offer the Métis Micro Business Grant program
      • Approval of funding application to deliver the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Indigenous Women Entrepreneur (IWE) program
      • Continuing to grow the IWE program and MVDF portfolio
      • Completion of a search for candidates for the MVDF Board of Directors
      • Approval of a funding application to ISC to establish, an Association of Métis Capital Corporations to support the MNC and MNO on economic development
 
Finance Update
Ursula D’Angelo, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), reviewed the distributed Q3 Financial Report presentation
 
      • The Chief Financial Officer led the meeting in a review of the Q3 revised budgets for the:
      • Lands Resources and Consultations (LRC) Branch
      • Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Branch
      • Rights, Research and Policy Branch
      • Healing and Wellness Branch
      • Education and Training Branch
      • Infinity Property Services (IPS)
      • Community Wellbeing Branch
      • Self-Government Branch
      • Enabling Functions.
 
Budget 2022-2023
D’Angelo continued the update, reviewing the presentation titled “2022-2023 Budget” and commented on sections therein, including:
 
      • Funding agreements with the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada, and reporting processes on the agreements
      • The process for developing the 2022-2023 Budget and Branch budget submissions
      • The development of an Operations Plan
      • Funding allocations in Budget 2022-2023 for governance, programs, enabling functions, strategic initiatives and AGA/Rendezvous
      • Percentage of expenditures proportion by function (Branch)
      • Significant budget changes, including:
      • Budget decreases for the Housing Branch, Education and Training Branch, Community Wellbeing Branch, Healing and Wellness Branch, and LRC Branch
      • Budget increases for Enabling Functions, the Intergovernmental Relations Branch and the Self-Government Branch
      • Funding requests for strategic initiatives.
      • The purpose of the quarterly reporting process is to ensure PCMNO oversight.
 
It was resolved that, in accordance with PCMNO Resolution #PC210423-10, the PCMNO, approves an increase to the Métis Nation of Ontario rates for travel and expenses based on the rates set by the Federal Treasury Board, National Joint Council, effective April 1, 2022.