Liberal Party Response

In 2013, the MMF won the landmark MMF v. Canada court case at the Supreme Court of Canada, but - 12 years later - this declaration concerning s.31 of the Manitoba Act (also known as the Land Claim) has yet to be settled. Does your party commit to settling the Land Claim, righting this historic wrong, and mending the "ongoing rift in the national fabric" of Canada within your first term?

The Liberal Party of Canada has worked in partnership with the Manitoba Métis Federation to advance their priorities and we remain committed to continuing this work. We will remain committed to advancing the Self-Government Agreement and the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty. We deeply value the partnership that we have built with the Manitoba Métis Federation. We will work with the Red River Métis to advance their priorities and to create a more prosperous future for their citizens.

On November 30, 2024, MMF and Canada signed the historic Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty. Canada and the MMF have also successfully negotiated this Treaty's Implementation Legislation. Does your party commit to introducing the Implementation Legislation to the Parliament of Canada to give our Treaty force of law within the next sitting of parliament?

Yes, the Liberal Party of Canada is committed to introducing the implementation legislation to Parliament as soon as possible. This would be the first Self-Government Treaty with a Métis Government in Canada - a truly historic step we are ready to take with the MMF by enshrining it in law.

We worked in partnership with the Red River Métis to sign the Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty in November. This agreement recognizes that the Manitoba Métis Federation is the Government of the Red River Métis.

In May 2024, MMF and Canada completed negotiating a Coordination Agreement as per An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (formerly known as "Bill C-92"). However, Canada has suggested that they cannot enter into the Agreement with the MMF until they get approval from Cabinet - and even suggested that Manitoba must remain the "primary funder" of our CFS system. Does your party commit to completing this policy work, approving the fiscal ask within the federal system, and signing the now-completed Coordination Agreement by the end of the 2025 calendar year?

Advancing self-determination over child welfare is a critical shared priority. This will be reviewed as a priority moving forward.

The MMF and Canada have entered into "Sub-Accords" that provide the MMF with stable, predictable, and flexible 10-year funding allocations to close the gap between the Red River Métis and other Canadians in the fields of housing, early learning childcare, employment and training, post-secondary education, economic development and homelessness. Does your party agree that continuing the Nation-to-Nation, Government-to-Government, and Distinctions-Based approaches to funding transfers and developing relationships is the most effective way to ensure the MMF will meet the needs of the Red River Métis, and, indeed, other Canadians?

Yes, the Liberal Party is committed to work in partnership with the Red River Metis to advance their priorities to reduce the gap between them and other Canadians in the country. We acknowledge that program requirements and needs may change over time - we remain committed to work in partnership with MMF and continue to carefully listen to their continued guidance on the best way to work together to advance their priorities.

In 2024, the MMF and Chiefs of Ontario co-hosted an Indigenous Identity Fraud Summit to raise the profile of the Indigenous identity theft crisis in Ontario. Does your party commit to working with us to put an end to those stealing our unique Red River Métis identity and misappropriating First Nations ancestors?

We understand that identity is deeply personal and that Indigenous communities are best suited to determine who is a member of their respective community. We are committed to work with the MMF to ensure that we can protect and preserve Métis identity.

Given past and ongoing harms, economic reconciliation with Red River Métis is still needed. This includes reviving traditional economies, ensuring access to capital, supporting ownership in major projects, and creating opportunities to fully participate in the economy. Does your party commit to investing in the Red River Métis to advance economic reconciliation?

Yes, the Liberal Party of Canada is committed to advancing economic reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples - including the Red River Métis.

The MMF has over 800 registered Red River Métis-owned businesses in our Business Registry. Our Registry features businesses that are verified for majority ownership and validated as MMF Citizens. Does your party commit to continuing the 5% Indigenous procurement mandate, and to recognizing our Business Registry as a recognized source for federal procurement contracts?

Yes - it was a Liberal government that put in place the 5% Indigenous Procurement target so we are committed to maintaining the 5% for Indigenous Procurement.

In 2016's Daniels v. Canada decision, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the "[...] Métis are therefore Indians under s. 91(24) [...]". Based on a 2010 study, Red River Métis have the highest rates of chronic illness diagnoses among all Manitobans. Does your party commit to working with the MMF to co-draft Red River Métis-specific health legislation within your first term and co-develop Red River Métis specific health programs and services?

We recognize and acknowledge that advancing improved health outcomes is critical to MMF. Moving forward, we will undertake this work with the MMF on health as we move forward on the implementation of the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty. We will work together to advance areas of shared priority, including the negotiation of supplementary self-government agreements for health services in full partnership with your leadership.