The natives “at the heart” of the law on major projects, says Carney to the Métis

Carney said that for too long, economic and public policy decisions had been taken without taking into account the Métis. But We listen to you nowhe assured the Métis leaders of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, gathered to the Royal Geographic Society of Canada in Ottawa.

“Respect for the rights of indigenous peoples is at the heart of the law [visant à bâtir le Canada]. He is registered in the law itself, “said the Prime Minister. This law requires significant consultation with indigenous peoples both in the process of determining projects of national interest and in the development of the conditions of each project.

Appease worries

Thursday’s meeting is the last in a series of three organized this summer in order to appease the fears of indigenous peoples. The latter expressed their concerns about the possibility that this legislation is used to bypass environmental protections and ignore their rights in the name of the reduction in administrative formalities.

A summit with First Nations leaders (new window) Last month ended with an optimistic note, even if several questions remained unanswered. As for the meeting with Inuit leaders (new window)the latter were reassured that the law would not violate their modern treaties.

Carney recognized Métis contributions on Thursday as travelers who helped forge the country’s first commercial networks.

In some respects, our task today is part of a process of creating new commercial networks, new forms of commerce in Canada, while fully recognizing this time the contributions of the Métis and by giving them fully access to opportunities and prosperityhe said.

Dissensions within the Métis nation

However, the summit takes place in a context of boycott by Métis manitoba leaders and worries on the part of other groups that have not been invited.

Wednesday, at the Château Laurier hotel, the Métis de Manitoba Federation (new window) (MMF) denounced the inclusion by the liberal government of the Métis Nation de l’Ontario (MNO), a group that the federation accuses of indigenous identity theft (new window).

David Chartrand, president of the MMFthe government which represents the Métis of the Red River, told journalists that the door remained open for a meeting, but that if Prime Minister wanted Insult ourselves, so we would try again in another political field.

Mark Carney seemed to be serene, however, when he entered the meeting room on Thursday. I had a very good conversation with President Chartrand last night. We have had good exchanges directly with the Métis du Manitoba and that will continuehe told journalists.

The Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) also refused to participate in the meeting after being invited only as an online observer. Independent Métis communities were not invited either.

We are here to work with you

Mark Carney was accompanied for this summit of several of his ministers, including the Minister of Services to Aboriginal people, Mandy Gull-Masty, the Minister of Couronne-Autochtones, Rebecca Alty, and the Minister of Commerce Canada-United States, Dominic Leblanc.

In his speech, the Prime Minister assured that major projects will emerge following the new law were going to create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Not just jobs, but hundreds of thousands of careers for skilled workers. They will be the pillars of a strong Canadian economy.

After the Prime Minister’s speech, the media were escorted outside the room before the Métis leaders say their opening declarations.

We are a solid and prosperous partner and we are here to work with yousaid Margaret Froh, president of the MNOaccording to a written copy of his opening speech sent to the Canadian press.

Ontario Métis communities will continue to fight for Canada, while protecting the land and waters on which our communities depend for their survival as a distinct indigenous communities.

The president of the Métis nation of Alberta, Andrea Sandmaier, adopted a similar tone. To materialize major projects, we must be present at the negotiating table, not after decision -making, but from the start, as partnerssupported Ms. Sandmaier in a prepared speech.

This includes a clear and respectful consultation with the federal government and the province of Alberta.

With information from Brett Forester and the Canadian Press