The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) congratulates Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party on its re-election.
“Over the past four years, the MNO has worked alongside the Liberal government and has made incredible and long-awaited advances towards recognition and respect for Métis Rights, including our inherent right of self-determination and self-government. We have worked hard to secure investments from Canada that will bring measurable benefits to MNO citizens and communities throughout Ontario. We look forward to continuing this work and addressing critical issues affecting Métis families and communities in Ontario,” stated MNO President Margaret Froh.
As part of their 2019 Métis-specific platform, the Liberal Party committed to continued work on a government-to-government basis with the MNO. MNO and Canada will be working closely together to make progress in areas of high priority, including healthcare, housing, education, economic development, employment skills training and on other critical issues.
The MNO made history in 2003 with the watershed Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Powley which confirmed the constitutionally protected rights of the Métis community in and around Sault Ste. Marie to harvest under s.35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. It made history again on June 27, 2019, when it signed the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement (“Self-Government Agreement”) with Canada — the first agreement of its kind in Canada. The Self-Government Agreement provides the MNO with long-sought-after federal recognition by immediately recognizing that the Métis communities represented by the MNO have the right of self-government.
“Although significant progress has been made over the last four years, there is still a great deal of work ahead,” said President Froh. “The MNO looks forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Liberal Government and all federal parties to advance Métis Self-Government in Ontario, and to bring measurable benefits to our citizens and communities.”