Budget 2018 Makes Historic Investments in Métis Nation
OTTAWA, Feb 27. 2018 /CNW/ - Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau presented a budget in the House of Commons today with unprecedented investments in Métis Nation priorities.
"The Métis Nation takes great pride in federal Budget 2018 which finally addresses the needs and aspirations of the Métis Nation", said MNC Vice-President David Chartrand. "After 148 years of waiting to enter the federation, this budget finally brings us home."
Under the heading "Supporting Métis Nation Priorities", the budget states:
"The Government of Canada is deeply committed to renewing the relationship with the Métis Nation based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership, reflecting the commitments in the Canada-Métis Nation Accord…
These investments in Métis Nation priorities reflect the government's commitment to apply a greater distinctions-based lens to Indigenous funding decisions and support the Métis Nation's vision of self-determination."
Among the budget highlights are:
- $500 million over 10 years for the Métis Nation Housing Strategy;
- $325 million over 5 years in new Métis Nation employment and training funding; and
- Major federal investments in an Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework and in Indigenous Child and Family Services which will include distinct allocations for the Métis Nation.
"The Prime Minister assured me in a meeting this morning that the budget would clearly recognize the distinct identity, rights and interests of the Métis Nation and the budget has done that," said Chartrand.
"The budget addresses most of the first-year priorities under the Canada-Métis Nation Accord and we look forward to tackling the other priorities such as education and health in the coming year. We appreciate the Prime Minister's determination to get the language right in the budget."
SOURCE Métis National Council
Ke Ning, Métis National Council, c: (613) 297-5193, e: [email protected]
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