JAGMEET SINGH, M.P. Leader of the New Democratic Party

300 - 279 Laurier West Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5J9

August 26, 2021

Dear Mr. Singh.

Thank you for your service as Leader of the New Democratic Party for the past four years. I am reaching out in my capacity as Acting President of Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) to raise some issues important to the Métis in BC, and pose some questions to your party in the context of the current federal election.

There are nearly 90,000 Métis people in British Columbia, with more than 20,000 registered as MNBC Citizens. MNBC represents thirty-eight Métis Chartered Communities in BC, with a mandate to develop and implement culturally relevant social and economic programs and services by enhancing opportunities for Métis Chartered Communities. MNBC is recognized by the Métis National Council, BC Government, and Government of Canada, as the Governing Nation for Métis in BC.

In his 2016 report to the Government of Canada, A Matter of National and Constitutional Import: Report of the Minister’s Special Representative on Reconciliation with Métis: Section 35 Métis Rights and the Manitoba Métis Federation Decision, Tom Isaac states:

“Reconciliation is more than platitudes and recognition. Reconciliation flows from the constitutionally protected rights of Métis protected by Section 35 and is inextricably tied to the honour of the Crown, and must be grounded in practical actions.”

Ignoring the Métis Nation has been a consistent and long-standing policy of successive federal governments in Canada. While political parties have made strides in reconciliation in Canada, this has been focused on First Nations at the exclusion of the Métis Nation. There is a disparity around funding for programs like health care, education, skills training and harvesting rights, for sustenance and cultural purposes.

The Government of Canada has a well documented history in marginalizing Indigenous peoples across Canada, and suppressing our cultures and way of life through assimilative tactics. Métis Nation does not operate under a false assumption that First Nations have ever been sufficiently funded; their struggles are very similar. What we are underlining is the disparity in focus and funding for the First Nations compared to the Métis Nation.

MNBC will strive to fight for equal treatment as afforded by being one of the Nations specifically listed in Section 35 of the Constitution. MNBC will hold all parties to account, and expect them to fulfill their promises.

Unit #380 – 13401 108 Ave P 604.557.5851 Surrey, BC, Canada TF 1.800.940.1150 V3T 5T3 E [email protected] mnbc.ca

We therefore pose the following questions to all major political parties, and request a response at their earliest convenience:

• Will your party commit to continue the Canada-Métis Accord, which provides a government-to- government relationship between the Government of Canada and the Métis Nation Governing Members? • Will your party commit to continue the ongoing negotiations with MNBC through the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination mechanism, on the terms laid out through the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding? • Will your party commit to implementing sustainable and flexible funding agreement that will guarantee reliable and flexible funding for the Métis Nation BC? • What specific policies will your party implement to address the systemic disadvantages experienced by Métis children, specifically around financial resources and policy shortcomings? • What kind of Métis-specific economic investments and Métis business opportunities will your party create, if elected, for the Métis in BC, so we can fully participate in the Canadian economy? • The federal government currently meets their responsibility under s.35 and the duty to consult the Métis Nation. Will this continue under your party, should you form the next government? • How will your party commit to working in collaboration with the MNBC to co-develop and co-design policy and programs that will benefit the Métis in BC? • Your party supported Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which enshrined the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into Canadian law. How will your party implement this legislation into tangible programs and commitments for MNBC, while respecting the principles of UNDRIP?

We look forward to the responses from each political party, and will work collaboratively with any party that forms the next government in improving the relationship with the Government of Canada, to have a positive impact on the lives of all Métis people in BC.

Yours sincerely,

LISSA SMITH

Acting President, Métis Nation British Columbia

P 604.557.5851 E [email protected]