OTTAWA, ONTARIO (April 29, 2013) - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and Clément Chartier, President of the Métis National Council (MNC), met today to renew the 2008 Métis Nation Protocol and sign a new Governance and Financial Accountability Accord.
The Protocol establishes a process for Canada and the Métis Nation to conduct discussions on a range of key issues and objectives, including: jurisdictional issues related to federal and provincial responsibilities, access to benefits and settlements by Métis veterans, economic development, among other issues. The Governance and Financial Accountability Accord formalizes the transparency and accountability measures related to the Métis National Council's fiscal arrangement with Canada.
These agreements clearly define the parties' expectations of one another, and outline a way of working together so that we can focus on what really matters: creating jobs, economic growth and long term prosperity for the Métis in Canada,
said Minister Valcourt. With the Métis National Council we have a partner that shares the belief that the best way to achieve results is by working together and these agreements will help to further facilitate that.
We are pleased to have renewed the Protocol so that we can continue to build on the success of the 2008 Protocol,
added President Clement Chartier. We are serious about working together to ensure that Métis people continue to share in economic development opportunities.
The renewed Métis Nation Protocol includes a number of changes from the 2008 protocol, including an agreement by both parties to hold an annual meeting engaging the Minister, the Métis National Council and its Governing Members. It also includes an agreement by both parties to hold regular bilateral meetings between the Minister and the President of the Métis National Council, as well as meetings between senior officials, to ensure continued discussions on issues that matter to both parties.
New in this year's agreement is a Governance and Financial Accountability Accord, annexed to the Protocol. The Accord identifies five major priorities, including:
- the completion of the MNC General Assembly Governance Resolution from December 2010;
- completing the development of common standards for Métis Nation Registries;
- a move toward more flexible funding agreements and reduced administrative burden;
- continuing to strengthen national policy support for Métis economic development and participation in major development projects; and,
- similar to the new First Nations Financial Transparency Act, the Accord will ensure the public disclosure of audited consolidated financial statements and schedules of remuneration, to strengthen the transparency and accountability of the Métis National Council's fiscal arrangement.
As part of this renewed Protocol, both parties agree to prepare a joint progress report on the results achieved under the Protocol and its schedules on an annual basis. This report will be posted on both parties' websites.
Andrea Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt
819-997-0002
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
Métis National Council
John Weinstein
Interim Executive Director
613-232-3216
