Métis Nation Early Learning and Child Care Accord
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This Accord is effective from the 6 day of March, 2019
Between
Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (“the Government of Canada”)
And
The Métis Nation: As represented by: Métis National Council, Métis Nation British Columbia, Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Manitoba Metis Federation, Métis Nation of Ontario.
Whereas the Métis Nation and the Government of Canada recognize the significant need for culturally-appropriate and high-quality Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) programs and services for Métis children and families;
Whereas consistent with the joint commitments of the Canada-Métis Nation Accord, the Parties have co-developed an Indigenous ELCC Framework, including a distinct Métis Nation ELCC Framework, recognizing the importance of a distinctions-based approach in ensuring that the rights, interests and circumstances of the Métis Nation are acknowledged, affirmed and implemented;
Whereas the Parties, under the terms of the Canada-Métis Nation Accord, may enter into companion accords, agreements, protocols, or any other arrangements deemed suitable in order to achieve jointly established policy priorities;
Now, therefore, the Government of Canada and the Métis Nation enter into this 10-year Métis Nation Early Learning and Child Care Accord with the goal of implementing the Métis Nation ELCC Framework.
1. Title of Accord
1.1 The Accord will be known as the Métis Nation Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Accord (“the Accord”).
2. Recognition
2.1 The Parties agree that the Accord will be the sole national Accord for the Métis Nation under the Indigenous ELCC Framework.
2.2 The Parties agree that the Métis National Council Governing Members are best placed to design and deliver ELCC programs and services for Métis people.
2.3 The Parties agree that the Government of Canada will enter into a bilateral Métis Nation ELCC Agreement with each of the Governing Members, or their designated affiliated institutions, for the provision of ELCC programs and services for Métis people.
2.4 The Parties agree that the Government of Canada will enter into a bilateral Agreement with the Métis National Council to support national coordination, research and policy development.
3. Métis Nation ELCC goals
3.1 The overarching goal of Métis Nation ELCC Framework is to create and enhance early learning programs and supports for Métis children and their families, that is anchored in Métis culture and responsive to the unique needs of Métis children and families through:
- 3.1.1 Creating Métis-specific programming and services to support the early learning and developmental needs of Métis children and families, developed and delivered by the Métis Nation, through its Governing Members;
- 3.1.2 Improved access to existing programs for Métis Nation children and families;
- 3.1.3 Program flexibility that is appropriately tailored to regional characteristics and distinct local needs of families and communities;
- 3.1.4 Supporting Métis Nation-building and promoting self-governance and self-determination with ELCC as a critical step to this end;
- 3.1.5 Integrating Métis culture, languages and values into the design and delivery of ELCC programs for Métis Nation children and families;
- 3.1.6 Promoting, whenever possible, the employment of Métis individuals as early childhood providers;
- 3.1.7 Supporting ELCC providers, from inside and outside the Métis Nation, to be trained and educated in early childhood education and the cultural ways of the Métis Nation, thereby enhancing their competency in working with Métis Nation children and their families;
- 3.1.8 Supporting improved education, health and social outcomes for young Métis children with a focus on health promotion, nutrition, education, Métis culture, parental involvement and social support; and
- 3.1.9 Offering transparency and accountability to Métis Nation citizens, communities, government partners and other stakeholders.
4. Program development
4.1 The Métis National Council Governing Members shall develop and deliver a full suite of ELCC programs and services to address the distinct needs of Métis Nation children and families.
5. Financial provisions
5.1 The Government of Canada is committing $1.7 billion over 10 years to strengthen ELCC programs and services for Indigenous children and families starting in 2018-2019. This is part of the commitment of $7.5 billion over 11 years the Government has made to support and create more high-quality, affordable child care across the country.
5.2 Over the next 10 years, up to $450.7 million will support ELCC for Métis children and families in the Métis Homeland. The allocation will be for Métis Nation British Columbia, Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Manitoba Metis Federation, Métis Nation of Ontario and the Northwest Territories Métis Nation as well as the Alberta Métis Settlements. Specific allocations will be subject to decisions made in partnership among the Government of Canada and Métis Nation partners and will be subject to Parliamentary appropriations.
5.3 Funding in 2018-2019 through 2027-2028 is dedicated to strengthen ELCC for Métis Nation children and families in the Homeland, including annual incremental increases, with the following schedule, resulting in an annual funding amount in 2027-2028 of up to $52.5 million:
- 2018-2019: $39,300, 000
- 2019-2020: $39,300, 000
- 2020-2021: $39,300, 000
- 2021-2022: $39,300, 000
- 2022-2023: $43,900,000*
- 2023-2024: $46,400,000*
- 2024-2025: $46,500,000*
- 2025-2026: $51,800,000*
- 2026-2027: $52,400,000*
- 2027-2028: $52,500,000*
* Annual incremental increases beginning in 2022-2023 are currently projected based on 2016 census data of children aged 0 to 6 and may be readjusted based on 2021 census data.
6. Accountability Framework
6.1 The Government of Canada and Governing Members shall co-develop a Métis Nation ELCC Accountability and Results Framework.
6.2 The Accountability Results Framework will set-out shared outcomes, performance measures, common indicators for Métis Nation ELCC (as well as the potential for indicators unique to each Governing Member’s priorities), evaluation processes and reporting mechanisms to support the ongoing assessment of program impacts and results.
6.3 The Parties will establish at the national level and with each Governing Member, joint processes and implementation committees to support effective collaboration, monitoring and implementation of the Framework.
7. Dispute Resolution
7.1 Any Métis Nation ELCC Agreement between the Government of Canada and Governing Members shall include a co-developed dispute resolution mechanism that is efficient, fair and responsive to disputes if and when they arise.
7.2 Disputes that cannot be resolved at a regional level will be elevated to the national level through a dispute resolution process to be co-developed by the Parties.
8. General
8.1 All commitments of funding provided for within the Accord will be subject to Parliamentary appropriation of such resources.
8.2 Nothing in this Accord affects existing bilateral and tripartite self-government processes that are in place between the Government of Canada and the Métis Nation or on-going work of the Parties to address pressing socio-economic issues of the Métis Nation.
8.3 This Accord will support the Parties desire to build partnerships among many players in ELCC sphere to work together towards achieving a shared vision for cohesive, high-quality, culturally strong early learning and child care for Métis children and families in the Métis Homeland.
8.4 The Accord does not recognize, deny, define, affect or limit any Aboriginal or Treaty rights within the meaning of Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
8.5 The Accord shall be in effect until March 31, 2028.
8.6 The Accord may be amended by mutual consent of the Parties. To be valid, any amendments to the Accord shall be in writing and signed by designated officials of the Parties.
8.7 Any demand, notice or other communication to be given in connection with the Accord shall be given in writing and may be given by a personal delivery, email, by post or by fax addressed to the recipient.
Signed this 6th of March, 2019 on behalf of the Government of Canada:
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
On behalf of the Métis Nation:
Clément Chartier, President – Métis National Council
David Chartrand, Minister of Social Development, President – Manitoba Metis Federation
Clara Morin Dal Col, President – Métis Nation British Columbia
Audrey Poitras, President – Métis Nation of Alberta
Glen McCallum, President - Métis Nation – Saskatchewan
Margaret Froh, President – Métis Nation of Ontario
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