Métis National Council and Government of Canada sign Skills and Employment Training Accord
Posted on: Jun 26, 2018
Photo: (l-r) Métis Nation Saskatchewan President, Glen McCallum; Métis Nation Ontario President, Margaret Froh; Manitoba Métis Federation President, David Chartrand; Federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patricia Hajdu; Métis National Council President, Clément Chartier; Métis Nation of Alberta President, Audrey Poitras, and;
Métis Nation British Columbia President, Clara Morin Dal Col.
June 19, 2018 (Ottawa, ON) The Métis Nation of Alberta is pleased to announce the signing of the Métis Nation Skills and Employment Accord between the leaders of the Métis Nation of Canada and the Government of Canada on Friday, June 15, 2018.
The Métis Nation Skills and Employment Accord provides all parties a framework for jointly implementing the new Métis National Labour Market Strategy. The strategy focuses on enhanced employment services, skills development, and job training to improve the overall well-being of the Métis Nation. This Accord marks the first sub-accord under the Canada-Métis Nation Accord signed by the Prime Minister of Canada and Métis Nation leadership on April 13, 2017.
The signing of the Accord comes after the federal government made a commitment of more than $625 million over 10 years for the Métis Nation stream of the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training program in the 2018 budget. The program replaces the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy.
Quick Facts:
- The Métis Nation is represented by the Métis National Council and its governing members: the Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta, and Métis Nation British Columbia.
- Budget 2018 also provides $516 million in funding over 10 years to respond to the unique needs and concerns of the Métis Nation, including:
- $500 million over 10 years to support a Métis Nation housing strategy
- $10 million in 2018-19 to support Métis Nation post-secondary education
- $6 million over five years to support the Métis Nation in gathering health data and developing a health strategy
Quotes:
“The signing of the Canada-Métis Nation Accord last year was the first step toward a renewed relationship with the Métis Nation. These meetings provide an important opportunity to hear directly from leaders of the Métis Nation about their unique needs and concerns. We will continue to work together with the Métis Nation as partners to address these needs, and strengthen the Canada-Métis Nation relationship for the benefit of our country and all Canadians.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“The Canada-Métis Nation Accord is enabling the Métis Nation to make significant strides toward our social and economic development. We look forward to working with the Prime Minister and his ministers on this year’s priorities.”
—Clément Chartier, President of the Métis National Council
“Today’s meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau was positive, and I thank him for his commitment to a distinctions-based approach. The work we are doing nationally will benefit Métis citizens in Alberta.”
—Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta
To download a copy of the Accord, click here.