Bill C-53 Running Into Strong Headwinds from Métis and First Nations

(December 1, 2023) Proposed federal government legislation to recognize Métis Governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan and Métis Self Government is running into strong resistance from a number of witnesses appearing in front of the House of Commons Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee.

Better known as Bill C-53, the proposed legislation provides for the recognition of Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan and provides a framework for the implementation of treaties entered into by those Métis governments and the Government of Canada.

The Committee has heard from more than 40 witnesses todate, with more than half being opposed to the Bill as it is currently written. Those opposing the Bill at Committee include representatives of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), Metis Settlements General Council (Alberta), Métis Nation Association of Alberta Local 2003, and the Assembly of First Nations along with every other First Nations leader who appeared as a witness.

The MMF has been strongly critical of the legislation saying in a separate release that Bill C-53 has emerged as a flashpoint in the debate over Indigenous identity theft. The MMF points out that the Chiefs of Ontario, backed by First Nations across the country, refuse to accept communities represented by the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) as legitimate Métis rights-holders because they believe these communities never existed. The MMF says that the MNO communities have no historical or cultural connection to the historic Métis Nation in Western Canada rooted in the Red River Settlement.

Former MNBC President Clara Morin Dal Col said, “I opposed MNO’s claim at the time when they added these so called historic Métis communities in Ontario, and my position has not changed because they were never part of the Métis Homeland. Now with this proposed legislation, MNO’s action is coming back to haunt them and it is causing a huge divide with First Nations.”

Ms. Morin Dal Col said, “In fact given the push-back by First Nations to this Bill primarily because of the Ontario issue, MNBC’s wish for self-government and a similar legislative initiative has likely been put on the back-burner by the federal government. And MNBC didn’t help itself, by sending their Director from Region 3 all the way to Ottawa to express strong support for the proposed legislation.”

She said, “When I was President I strongly opposed the way MNO was doing some things but this Board disagreed with me and removed me from office in 2021. Once they removed me, they moved quickly to support MNO and with others, bring them back into the Métis National Council. Now the chickens are coming home to roost.”

Ms. Morin Dal Col who has announced her candidacy for MNBC President in the 2024 elections said, “This proposed legislation has some major flaws and I do expect that the Committee will be recommending several substantive amendments to try and improve it. If it does pass the House of Commons, then the Canadian Senate will have to deal with it.”

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For further information:

Contact Clara Morin Dal Col

Candidate for MNBC Presidency

Email: cmdalcol@gmail.com