MNC - Metis National Council Economic Development Forum and First Ministers Meeting

Métis Mama has recently been advised that at a preliminary meeting to the First Ministers Meeting - President Clem Chartier submitted an Economic Stimulus Proposal to the Prime Minister for 295 Million Dollars. Here is the attached press releases relating to the next steps:


Winnipeg, MB (January 13,2008) – Métis leaders, officials, business people and entrepreneurs from across the Métis homeland are gathered in Winnipeg today for the Métis Nation Economic Development Forum. Métis National Council President Clément Chartier was joined by Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand to open the forum.

“The Métis Nation has made significant strides in building our communities economic strength over the last 2 decades,” said Métis National Council President Clément Chartier. “It’s vital we continue this work to ensure our gains don’t unravel during the current global economic downturn.”

Over 2 days of meetings and workshops, participants will discuss both long and short term opportunities for economic development in Métis communities in relation to the new Federal framework for Aboriginal economic development.

Among the issues that will be discussed are the renewal of Métis Human Resources Development Agreements (MHRDA), creating education and training opportunities for Métis students and strengthening financial institutions such as the Métis Capital Corporations.

The forum will also include a discussion on the Métis Nation Economic Stimulus Proposal. The proposal was requested by Prime Minister Stephen Harper for consideration in the 2009 Federal Budget, and will be discussed at the upcoming First Ministers Meeting with the leaders of the National Aboriginal Organizations.

“This stimulus package will include Métis-specific initiatives and approaches to ensure that Métis Nation citizens continue to contribute meaningfully and take a proactive role in Canada’s economic future,” said David Chartrand, MNC Vice-president and Minister of Social Development. “The steps we take towards improving the lives of Métis today will benefit all Canadians in the future.”

The comprehensive stimulus plan outlines various projects and initiatives geared towards stimulating economic growth in Métis communities, improving Métis housing, providing job training for Métis workers and fostering Métis participation in Canada’s natural resources sector.“

Métis were among the last to share in the boom of the past decade, but are now some of the first to feel the effects of the downturn,” said President Chartier. “The Métis Nation Economic Stimulus Proposal offers the federal government many constructive investment opportunities to mitigate hardship in Métis communities and create a more secure economy for all Canadians.

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Manitoba News Release............................................................
January 14, 2009

Premier Gary Doer will join Prime Minister Stephen Harper and provincial and territorial premiers in Ottawa Thursday and Friday for a first ministers' meeting on the economy, which will include a session with Canada's Aboriginal leaders.

"Manitoba is in a solid position to weather the current economic storm, but we cannot be complacent. We are prepared to do our part as a province to ensure our province and country not only remains economically strong but continues to grow for the benefit of all our citizens," Doer said.

Doer met with Manitoba First Nations and Métis leaders in advance of Thursday's meeting with national Aboriginal leaders. Issues Manitoba will raise include improving education and training opportunities and investing in housing, water and other critical infrastructure.

"As we develop a national plan, it is important that we work with Aboriginal leaders to ensure Aboriginal and northern communities don't fall further behind," the premier said. "While we are facing challenges as a country, we are also presented with an opportunity to make strategic investments that will improve our quality of life and build our economy for the future."

The premier also met with business and labour leaders prior to the first ministers' meeting. Other proposals he will raise include:

* accelerating infrastructure projects and approval processes including implementing current federal-provincial agreements and making new strategic investments;

* targeting fees and taxes in areas, such as air travel fees, where Canada is not competitive with the United States in order to enhance transportation, trade and tourism;

* supporting business to ensure Canadian companies are well-positioned to compete globally including such measures as ensuring access to credit;

* increasing and diversifying trade by implementing the premiers' July 2008 agreement on internal trade and expanding into new international markets such as the European Union, China, India and Brazil; and

* investing in skills development, worker retraining and upgrading, Aboriginal education and addressing the needs of the new economy.

The premier reiterated that Canada's economic situation is more stable than those of other countries. Manitoba also continues to perform well, posting stronger economic growth in 2008 than most provinces. Manitoba also posted the country's second best job-growth rate in 2008 and one of the lowest unemployment rates.