This Protocol is effective from the 29th day of April 2013.
as represented by
the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
-and-
- whose Governing Members are
- Métis Nation of Ontario
- Manitoba Métis Federation
- Métis Nation-Saskatchewan
- Métis Nation of Alberta
- Métis Nation of British Columbia
WHEREAS the Métis people emerged in the historic Northwest of Canada with their own language, culture, traditions and forms of self-government;
AND WHEREAS the Métis Nation seeks to continue its relationship with the Government of Canada to improve the quality of life outcomes for Métis people;
AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada is seeking to renew and build upon the structured process of bilateral discussions with the Métis National Council as outlined in the 2008 Métis Nation Protocol;
AND WHEREAS, within the context of these bilateral discussions and the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development, the Government of Canada and the Métis National Council have achieved progress that is now directed toward the development of an economic development accord to form a schedule to the Protocol;
AND WHEREAS, within the context of multilateral discussions outlined in the 2008 Métis Nation Protocol, the Government of Canada and the Métis National Council and its Governing Members have engaged in a Métis Economic Development Symposium (MEDS) process with the five westernmost provinces directed toward the development of a Métis economic development strategy and an accord to form a schedule to the Protocol;
AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada, the MNC and the MNC Governing Members wish to extend their joint discussions with the five westernmost provinces on the development of a Métis economic development strategy and accord and to pursue discussions on other subject matters identified in this protocol;
Now therefore the Parties agree as follows:
1.1 The parties agree to renew the bilateral process to examine the following issues:
- Jurisdictional issues relating to federal and provincial responsibilities and their effects on Métis people;
- Métis former students of the residential school system;
- Access to benefits and settlements by Métis veterans;
- Métis Nation Governance and Institutions including: democratic accountability (national one person one vote ballot-box elections); capacity, transparency and fiscal accountability; administration of federal government programs by Métis institutions; and fiscal transfers.
- Economic development, including community capacity;
- Métis Aboriginal rights, including those that may be related to lands and harvesting; and,
- Such other issues as the parties may agree to from time to time.
1.2 The parties agree to implement the following process in order to pursue the matters contained in this Protocol:
- An annual meeting engaging the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, the Métis National Council and the Métis National Council Governing Members;
- Regular bilateral meetings between the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and the President of the Métis National Council, and
- Regular meetings of senior federal government and Métis Nation officials who will report back to principals at the above scheduled meetings.
1.3 Where possible, the Minister agrees that he will make best efforts to facilitate meetings with other federal departments and/or Ministers where necessary in order for the Métis National Council to pursue matters related to this protocol that fall outside of the AANDC portfolio.
1.4 The parties may enter into companion Accords which shall form schedules to this protocol.
2. Multilateral Discussions
2.1 Where appropriate, and upon the agreement of the provinces from Ontario westward, Canada agrees to participate within a multilateral process with the provinces, the Métis National Council and its Governing Members on subjects matters agreed to by the multilateral parties.
2.2 Subject to paragraph 2.1 such multilateral discussions may relate to the following items, namely:
- Lands and resources;
- Harvesting rights;
- Economic development;
- Education and training;
- Health;
- Child and family services;
- Housing; and
- Justice and policing.
2.3 Where the Multilateral discussions result in an agreement among the Parties, the Agreement may be attached as a schedule to this Protocol.
3.1 The parties agree to prepare a joint progress report on results achieved under the Protocol and its schedules on an annual basis and to post this report on the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and Métis National Council websites.
4.1 This protocol does not affect or prejudice in any way whatsoever the respective legal positions of either of the parties with respect to any of the matters which are the subject of discussions referred to herein.
4.2 This protocol does not recognize, deny, define, affect or limit any Aboriginal or treaty rights within the meaning of the Constitution Act, 1982.
4.3 This protocol shall be effective upon signing for a period of 5 years or until superseded by a subsequent agreement between the parties.
4.4 Either party may terminate this agreement by providing 90 days written notice to the other party.
Signed in Ottawa
On behalf of the Métis National Council / Métis National Council
President Clément Chartier
On behalf of the Government of Canada
The Honourable Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
