The Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) met for a virtual meeting on May 15, 2022 which included MNO citizen observers. The formal MNO provincial governance meeting was held in addition to a series of recent workshops.
President’s Updates
MNO President Margaret Froh
MNO President Froh began with acknowledging the flooding experienced in Northwestern Ontario and confirmed the MNO is ready to mobilize supports to those impacted. President Froh also spoke to the success of the 2022 MNO Rendezvous held May 5-8 in Muskoka, which united MNO leadership and citizens and addressed key matters such as the Registry Review, Self government implementation, and other business. The Rendezvous was a time to renew relationships and celebrate Métis culture. and a great deal of work was achieved due to a large portion of regional committee meetings conducted.
An update on COVID-19 was provided, which celebrated the MNO’s ability to manage COVID-19 within MNO communities and shared MNO citizens are now eligible for their fourth dose of the vaccine. The PCMNO also acknowledged all the work being accomplished across MNO regions; including that seven out of eight regional communities have now signed their regional implementation agreements. President Froh also commended the work being done out at local levels and thanked all those who are running for elected office at the local level. Community events are being planned and its exciting for people to be able to get outside and renew relationships and share our story with Ontarians.
President Froh and Regional Councilor Mitch Case also discussed the success of the Métis delegation that traveled to the Vatican March 28-April 1,2022. The discussion focused on the experience of Survivors both in sharing their stories and increasing visibility for the Métis community around the world. A video of the experience is being developed by MNO citizen and videographer Matt Lemay to be shared with the community. Additionally, the Pope will be traveling to Canada and has announced this visit will take place July 25-29, 2022. On May 11, 2022 PCMNO met for a workshop concerning the New Relationship Fund, to review the consultation process and framework, and which will help support the MNO in its self-government journey. On May 15, it was confirmed that these funds will be extended.
MNO Annual General Assembly (AGA) 2023
MNO Chair Hank Rowlinson and
Vice Chair Sharon Cadeau
The MNO is currently seeking Expressions of Interest from the community to identify the next host of the 2023 AGA which has a tentative date of August 15-18, 2023. It was moved and resolved that the PCMNO sets the dates of the 2023 and 2024 MNO Annual General Assemblies (AGAs) as follows:
● Friday, August 18 to
Sunday, August 20, 2023
● Friday, August 16 to
Sunday, August 18, 2024.
These dates were chosen most appropriate as it would allow Métis youth to attend without conflict with their schooling.
Back to Batoche
MNO President Margaret Froh
The Métis Nation—Saskatchewan is hosting the 50th Anniversary of the Back to Batoche Métis cultural festival from July 21 – 24. A request for action was issued to confirm the dates and for PCMNO members to confirm interest in attending the event(s). PCMNO members interested in attending as delegates are asked to please RSVP to Sarah Boelhouwer by Friday, May 20, 2022
MNO Annual General Assembly (AGA) 2022
Chair Rowlinson and Vice Chair Cadeau and Rene Garcia, Senior Consultant, Boreala Management
PCMNO reviewed a preliminary project timeline for the upcoming MNO Annual General Assembly, scheduled to take place in Toronto between August 19-21, 2022. As is tradition, delegates will be arriving to opening ceremonies at Toronto Island via canoes Thursday, August 17 for speeches and entertainment. AGA official business will take place downtown. Among items being addressed at the PCMNO meeting were ongoing work plans, potential COVID-19 restrictions or protocols, an agenda framework and communications plan, special resolutions plans, invitations, etc.
Climate Change Programming
Linda Norheim – MNO Director of Lands, Resources and Consultations
Carbon Revenue Recycling / Carbon Top-Up Funding
The MNA, MNS and MNO will be receiving carbon revenue recycling also known as carbon top-up funding (carbon funding). The federal government collected this funding from the carbon tax placed on provinces which did not implement their own tax on fossil fuel polluters.
● While 90% of the tax is returned to citizens, 10% goes to climate initiatives including 1% for Indigenous climate programming.
● As the carbon funding draws revenue from a province-wide tax, the provinces with more people purchasing and using fuel and more industrial polluters will receive more funding.
● The funding that has been set aside for the Métis has accumulated since 2020. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the MNO can expect to receive $29,900,000 for the years 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23, as well as $50,000.00 to support the MNO in planning and developing how to spend the funding.
● Carbon funding must be used to develop and support climate change initiatives.
● Next Steps: Consider how to spend the planning funding; Review the contribution agreement when it is provided to the MNO to determine eligible activities; Seek feedback about potential climate change initiatives from PCMNO and citizens to help determine the activities to be funded under the agreement.
Nature Smart Climate Solutions Funding
MNO leadership and citizens have communicated a strong interest in establishing Métis land ownership to further the Métis role as environmental protectors and traditional stewards of the land.
● The Nature Smart Climate Solutions (NSCS) program offers funding for land-based carbon sequestration and storage activities. The program has funding set aside specifically for the MNO for this purpose in the amount of $511,600 over 9 years.
● In order to access this funding, the MNO needs to decide if it would like to partner with an external land owner to restore a site or instead purchase and hold (for itself) carbon rich land that is under threat of development.
● Next Steps: Choose a preferred way to spend the NSCS Funding as well as a back-up preference should logistical issues bar the preferred option.