Métis Nation-Saskatchewan President Glen McCallum,
Métis Nation of Ontario President Margaret Froh, Manitoba
Metis Federation President David Chartrand, Patty Hajdu,
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and
Labour, Métis National Council President Clément Chartier,
Métis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras and
Métis Nation British Columbia President Clara Morin
Dal Col signed the Métis Nation Skills and
Employment Accord in Ottawa on June 15. Click here for a
larger version of this picture.
Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) President Margaret Froh, alongside other Métis Nation leaders, signed a historic Accord with the federal government, which outlines the government’s investments in Métis employment services, skills development and job training on June 15.
The Métis Nation Skills and Employment Accord is the first sub-Accord signed under the Canada-Métis Accord, which was signed by the Prime Minister and Métis Nation leaders in 2017.
The signing of the Accord comes after the federal government promised more than $625 million over 10 years for the Métis Nation stream of the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training program in the 2018 budget. The program replaces the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy.
“This is a significant investment for Métis people in Ontario” said President Froh in a statement. “Not only does this sub-Accord show the federal government’s commitment to advancing its government-to-government relationship with the MNO, it respects and builds upon our recognized province-wide employment and training delivery structure and will result in real and positive impacts for our families and communities throughout the Province.”
The signing of this Accord is an important step forward to ensure the long-term stability and continued success of one of MNO’s foundational programs and will allow for greater planning and investments in Métis Citizens, families and Communities.
The Accord was signed by Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, as well as the Presidents of all the Métis National Council governing members, including Métis National Council President Clément Chartier, Métis Nation British Columbia President Clara Morin Dal Col, Métis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan President Glen McCallum and Manitoba Metis Federation President David Chartrand.
“With this additional agreement, not only is there more money, but there’s control and that to me is equally if not more important than the dollar amount, which is a historic amount,” said Minister Hajdu at the signing. “This is a promise, it’s a commitment, and it’s actually really turning over the reins and saying Métis people know best.”
“On behalf of the Provisional Council of the MNO,” said President Froh “we express our appreciation to the staff across the Province that deliver the MNO’s wide range of programs and services on a daily basis with such dedication and commitment. These programs are a success because of all of you and we will continue to work with both levels of government to advance the needs and interests of all our families and communities.”
Posted: June 15, 2018