Reminding the government of the importance of the environment has always been a
priority of MNO President Gary Lipinski (left), pictured here with former Minister of
Aboriginal Affairs, the honourable Brad Duguid (centre) and Blaine Tucker (right).
On April 19th, Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) President Gary Lipinski met with senior officials from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to discuss the Great Lakes Protection Act, important upcoming legislation directed at protecting the Great Lakes.
Across the Métis Homeland throughout Ontario, Métis people have a deep connection to the lands and waters. This is also true in the Great Lakes Basin, where the waters of the Great Lakes and the basin ecosystems are critical aspects of the Métis way of life. During the meeting, President Lipinski expressed the MNO’s concerns regarding the state of the lakes, including issues such as pollution, water quality, access to resources and invasive species. He also expressed the need for MNO communities to be meaningfully consulted on this act and other important initiatives relating to the Great Lakes.
As the Great Lakes Protection Act moves forward, the MNO and the MOE will be working collaboratively to ensure that MNO communities can meaningfully participate in its development. This collaboration and engagement will help improve the health of the Great Lakes and their ecosystems for future generations of Métis people and all Ontario.