- Debt reduction: In 2008, the MNO’s new leadership inherited a substantial debt and an outdated structure for financial administration. Over the last seven years, the MNO’s leadership reduced the outstanding debt by over 80 per cent with structured debt repayment arrangements with all outstanding creditors.
- Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF): In 2010, flowing from the MNO-Ontario Framework Agreement, the MNO negotiated a MOU and 10 year, $30 million agreement with Ontario to provide equity and investment in Métis businesses supporting resource sector. The MVDF has achieved significant success since its inception.
- Economic Development Law: In 2014, the MNO Annual General Assembly passed the Métis Nation of Ontario Prosperity and Self-Sufficiency Law, which sets out the legal framework for the MNO’s approach to economic development.
- Infinity Investments: In 2015, the Infinity Investments structures were completed, implementing the requirements of the Economic Development Law and organizing all of the MNO’s economic development activity so it can be managed by a professional, independent board of directors and Chief Executive Officer.
The Statement of Prime Purpose, the founding document of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), identifies developing “prosperity and economic self-sufficiency within the Métis Nation” as a key objective. In pursuit of this goal, the MNO, in 2008, adopted an economic development strategy. With funding from Ontario and Canada, the MNO retained policy, legal and tax advice to design a model based on “best practices” and the MNO’s unique needs.
Key elements of the economic development strategy:
- Debt reduction: In 2008, the MNO’s had a substantial debt and an outdated structure for financial administration. Since that time the MNO has eliminated the that debt with structured repayment arrangements involving all outstanding creditors.
- Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF): In 2010, flowing from the MNO-Ontario Framework Agreement, the MNO negotiated a MOU and 10 year, $30 million agreement with Ontario to provide equity and investment support to Métis businesses in the resource sector. The MVDF has achieved significant success since its inception.
- Economic Development Law: In 2014, the MNO Annual General Assembly passed the Métis Nation of Ontario Prosperity and Self-Sufficiency Law, which sets out the legal framework for the MNO’s approach to economic development.
- Infinity Investments: In 2015, the Infinity Investments structures were completed, implementing the requirements of the Economic Development Law and organizing all of the MNO’s economic development activity so it can be managed by a professional, independent board of directors and Chief Executive Officer.
The Métis Voyageur Development Fund
The Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF) was created in 2010 as part of a Framework Agreement that was negotiated between the MNO and the province of Ontario. At this time the MVDF was seeded with $30 million to provide equity and investment support to Métis businesses in the resource development sector. For more information or to learn more about the MVDF please visit the MVDF website
Updated: April 6, 2020