Members of the Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO), other signatories and guests following the signing of the MNO/Canada/Ontario Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation. Front (left to right)MNO Chair France Picotte, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Sophie Kiwala, MNO President Margaret Froh, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Dr. Carolyn Bennett and PCMNO Region 9 Councilor Peter Rivers. Back (left to right) Senator Ray Bergie, Postsecondary Representative Katelyn LaCroix, Senator Rene Gravelle, PCMNO Region 1 Councilor Theresa Stenlund, PCMNO Region 6 Councilor Tom Thompson, PCMNO Region 2 Councilor Cam Burgess, MNO Vice-Chair Sharon Cadeau, MNO Secretary-Treasurer Tim Pile, PCMNO Region 4 Councilor Ernie Gatien, Youth Representative Mitch Case, PCMNO Region 3 Councilor Marcel Lafrance, PCMNO Executive Senator Joseph Poitras, PCMNO Region 7 Councilor Pauline Richardson, Member of Parliament Bob Nault, Parliamentary Secretary to the federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Yvonne Jones and Member of Parliament Vance Badawey. Click here for larger version of this picture.
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario are committed to working together to foster reconciliation and build stronger relationships through a co-operative and respectful dialogue.
The parties have achieved a major milestone in their important joint work today with the signing of a historic Framework Agreement. Under the Framework Agreement, Canada, Ontario and the Métis Nation of Ontario will begin negotiations toward shared and balanced solutions that advance reconciliation and enhance the well-being of Métis Nation of Ontario citizens.
Click here to read the Framework Agreement.
The Framework Agreement will establish a process for discussions about developing a government-to-government relationship between the Crown and the Métis Nation of Ontario. It also identifies areas of mutual interest and key topics for future negotiations, such as Métis self-government, health, housing, education, and a tripartite consultation protocol.
Quotes
“As the home of the Supreme Court of Canada’s landmark decision on Métis rights in R. v. Powley, the signing of this Framework Agreement has special significance for the Métis Nation of Ontario. This agreement sets out a new path forward where Métis self-government, rights and outstanding claims can be addressed through negotiations—not just through the courts. This is truly an exciting day for our citizens and Métis communities here in Ontario.”
Margaret Froh
President, Métis Nation of Ontario
“Today we are taking a key step forward, along with the Ontario government, in our shared journey toward reconciliation with the Métis Nation of Ontario. We are setting the stage to renew the government-to-government relationship through a co-operative dialogue that will help end the status quo and build a brighter future for the Métis people of Ontario.”
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
“Today, Ontario joined Canada and the Métis Nation of Ontario in signing a tripartite Framework Agreement that will become a building block for how we work together. Ontario welcomes federal leadership in advancing reconciliation with Métis and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with the Métis Nation of Ontario.”
David Zimmer, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Ontario
“The signing of today’s tripartite Framework Agreement is an exciting step in advancing reconciliation with the Métis Nation of Ontario. Ontario looks forward to building an even stronger relationship with the Métis Nation of Ontario and working together with the federal government.”
Sophie Kiwala, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Ontario
Quick Facts
- On February 3, 2017, Canada and the Métis Nation of Ontario signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Advancing Reconciliation.
- This set the stage for exploratory discussions with a view to identifying a mutually acceptable path to advance reconciliation between the Crown and Métis in Ontario as represented by the Métis Nation of Ontario, in which the Government of Ontario was invited to participate. These discussions led to today’s signing of the Framework Agreement by the three parties.
- In 2016-17, the Métis Nation of Ontario undertook province-wide consultations with its citizens and communities through the Commission on Métis Rights and Self-Government that will inform the negotiations.
- The rights and interests of third parties, other Indigenous peoples and all Canadians will be respected and addressed during the negotiations.
Posted: December 11, 2017