Census Numbers Questioned By Metis Leaders

Census Numbers Questioned By Metis Leaders

Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 15:13

 

 

Metis Nation – Saskatchewan says the latest census numbers regarding the province’s Metis population are wrong.

 

This week’s census release indicated there are around 48,000 Metis people living in Saskatchewan.

 

MN-S President Robert Doucette says the number is likely twice that.

 

Doucette says the problem is with how the census officials collect the data.

 

He says there are two forms one can fill out — a long one and a short one — and the short form does not allow someone to declare they are Metis.

 

Doucette claims no one on the MNS executive was able to declare they were Metis because they all received the short form.

 

He says the MN-S hopes to meet with Census Canada officials because the numbers will affect funding available to his organization.

 

Doucette also wants to meet with the province’s Minister of First Nations and Metis Relations, June Draude, because he says census numbers will also affect transfer payments the province receives.