Metis Leaders Welcome Training Deal

Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 13:54

 

 

The head of the Provincial Metis Council says he approves of a new training and employment agreement with the federal government.

 

Service Canada announced yesterday it will provide the Gabriel Dumont Institute with $22.1 million over the next three years to take over from the now-defunct Metis Employment and Training of Saskatchewan (METSI). GDI will establish 10 new service delivery offices across Saskatchewan, including a few in the North.

 

Guy Bouvier says it’s good to see control of the file revert back to the Metis people.

 

He says it’s too bad the government took the file away from METSI in the first place, but Metis people have to come to grips with the fact that METSI is gone forever and it’s time to move on.

 

Service Canada ended its agreement with METSI last year over ties the organization had to officials who were elected in the controversial 2004 Metis Nation of Saskatchewan election.

 

Bouvier says GDI’s track record speaks for itself and this deal should be a “win-win” for everyone.

 

He isn’t overly optimistic this means Ottawa will now choose to re-negotiate with the MNS, but he believes their relationship may be starting to change.

 

Saskatoon MP Carol Skelton, speaking on behalf of minister responsible Monte Solberg, says GDI was chosen because of its long record of service and its fine reputation.

 

Skelton says this move confirms her government’s desire to get more young Aboriginal people into the workforce.