Metis Enthusiastic About Policy Retreat

Metis Enthusiastic About Policy Retreat

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at 15:02

Today’s summit in Ottawa between the Liberal cabinet and Aboriginal groups is being welcomed by Canada’s national Metis leader.

Clem Chartier says he expects to sign a framework agreement with Prime Minister Paul Martin today that would, among other things, see Metis people officially recognized by Ottawa and incorporated into a national registry.

Chartier says the deal would also allow the Metis National Council to begin taking over services that had once been provided by the federal government.

He adds the Supreme Court’s 2003 Powley decision on Metis hunting rights is will be acted upon through today’s agreement.

Chartier says once the deal is signed, mechanisms can then be put in place to deal with the backlog of Metis disputes with the federal government.