The Manitoba Métis Federation says it is “appalled” by what it calls a lack of Métis-specific funding in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s federal budget released Thursday.
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The Manitoba Métis Federation says it is “appalled” by the lack of Métis-specific funding in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new federal budget, released Thursday.
The group says that while the budget includes targeted measures for First Nations and Inuit, Métis are not provided similar funding, despite the MMF pressing the government for supports in areas including housing and health care.
According to the MMF, the only reference to Métis in the budget is connected to $806 million set aside over five years to implement a Trudeau-era Indigenous child welfare law.
MMF president David Chartrand said he is “no doubt” Red River Métis citizens will be angered by what he described as the dismissal of their needs, despite the MMF holding meetings with the prime minister and ministers to outline its priorities ahead of the budget.
Chartrand said the “hugely successful distinctions-based approach has vanished” and that the government is “reverting to phrases like ‘Indigenous’ when, in reality, they mean First Nations and Inuit.”
He added: “We are never looking for a handout. Rather, we are looking for our tax dollars to be reinvested in the Red River Métis so we can put a shovel in our hands and continue addressing the critical needs of our Nation and strengthen Canada.”
Victoria Pruden, president of the Métis National Council, said in a media statement Thursday that Métis governments are being treated as an afterthought rather than partners in Canada’s future.
Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said she can sympathize with Chartrand, saying that when she served as a grand chief, she was sometimes disappointed at being passed over for federal funding.
She pointed to what she called “historic” new funding for First Nations in the budget, including $32 billion over 10 years to repair, replace and build First Nations infrastructure.
The Assembly of First Nations says that work will require more than $32 billion, and it has estimated it would take about $375 billion to close the infrastructure gap between First Nations communities and the rest of Canada.
The budget also earmarks $11 billion over 10 years to maintain, renovate and build First Nations homes, along with $18.5 billion over that period for roads, bridges and schools.
It commits $5.8 billion over five years for First Nations elementary and secondary education, and sets aside $6 billion over six years for Jordan’s Principle to ensure First Nations children receive the health and social supports they need.
For Inuit, the budget includes $575 million over five years for a similar program called Pirutsiagutiit, as well as $610 million over four years for the Nutrition North subsidy, which is intended to help offset high grocery prices in the North.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, which represents Inuit in Canada, said it has found the Nutrition North program has failed to improve food security and reduce prices in the region, and said that investing in it will not address structural changes needed to eliminate food insecurity in Inuit homelands.
ITK president Natan Obed said the program’s inclusion does not reflect broader sustainability needs, saying: “Inuit uphold Canada’s sovereignty. Investments in Inuit communities are investments in Canada. Aside from the welcome funding for Pirutsiagutiit, the broader sustainability of our communities is not reflected in this budget.”
He added: “It makes significant investments in projects but building projects is not enough. The lack of investment in building healthy Inuit communities is a risk to this country.”
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