The MNO ready to work with Premier Doug Ford and his new Cabinet to advance Métis rights and reconciliation
TORONTO, June 29, 2018 /CNW/ - Following the swearing in of the new Cabinet of Premier Doug Ford, the Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) affirmed the MNO's commitment to working with the new Progressive Conservative majority government to further the recognition of rights, interests and aspirations of Métis families and communities throughout Ontario.
Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) President Margaret Froh stated that the existing long-term agreements between the Ontario government and the MNO provide a solid foundation for strengthening our government-to-government relationship with Ontario. "The MNO has multiple agreements with the Ontario government," stated President Froh, "including the MNO-Canada-Ontario Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation and the MNO-Ontario Framework Agreement on Métis Harvesting."
"We welcome the opportunity to meet with the Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs to begin discussions on moving forward together to best serve the citizens of the MNO. The MNO has worked with Minister Rickford while he was the federal MP for Kenora," stated President Froh, "and we look forward to continued collaboration in his new capacity." Minister Rickford brings to his new position considerable experience working with Indigenous communities as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development at the federal level, as well as his experience as a lawyer and strategic advisor for companies specializing in natural resources, Indigenous relations, health and legal matters. "The MNO is very pleased that Indigenous Affairs remains a stand-alone ministry given the importance to all Ontarians of advancing reconciliation with Métis and First Nations, and the critical role it has played in facilitating MNO-Ontario relations," added President Froh.
"We look forward to engaging with the newly appointed Cabinet Ministers, in particular those in key areas that directly impact the MNO and its citizens, including education, training, health, housing, justice and natural resources. It is essential that we establish positive, respectful, collaborative working relationships with the new government and move quickly in the key areas identified in the MNO-Canada-Ontario Framework Agreement," stated President Froh. "The MNO looks forward to meeting with Premier Ford and his Cabinet Ministers to build a better Ontario for Métis and all Ontarians."
SOURCE Métis Nation of Ontario
Mike Fedyk, MNO Director of Communications, 613-798-1488, [email protected]
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