The Accord marks a significant step towards a renewed government-to-government relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. It outlines the ways in which the Government of Canada and the Métis National Council and its Governing Members will work together to set priorities and develop policy in areas of shared interest. The Accord will bring a coordinated focus across the federal government in setting priorities and obtaining concrete actions and tangible results.

With initiatives like this, Canadians and the Métis Nation are mapping a way forward on a path of reconciliation and renewal toward a shared, prosperous future. The 2017 budget commits significant funding to build the governance capacity of the Métis National Council (MNC), the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), and the other four Métis governments that constitute the MNC from Manitoba to British Columbia. The funding will include $84.9 million over the next five years as well as ongoing annual funding of $28.3 million.

Objectives of the Accord

The Parties agree that it is in their common interest to establish a process for co-development and negotiation that will allow them to work together to:

1. Uphold the special constitutional relationship that the Métis Nation has with the Crown as partners in Confederation and as recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982;
2. Renew the Métis Nation-Crown relationship on a nation-to-nation, government-to-government basis;
3. Advance reconciliation of the rights, claims, interests and aspirations of the Métis Nation and those of all Canadians;
4. End the legacy of colonialism and colonial attitudes wherever they may remain in federal legislation, policies and practices;
5. Improve socio-economic conditions of Métis and their access to social and economic programs and services that address their needs;
6. Explore and support ways to address the historic and continuing impacts of unresolved claims and grievances of the Métis Nation; and
7. Promote and advance the recognition of the Métis Nation and commemorate its role and that of its leader, Louis Riel, in Canada’s western expansion.

ANNEX

Priorities Annotated Agenda

The following link outlines full details on the Accord as well as details on areas for co-development and negotiation by the Parties in their work on first year priorities:
https://pm.gc.ca/en/canada-metis-nation-accord