THUNDER BAY – POLITICS – “Every Canadian deserves a real and fair chance at success. Today, we make history as we sign the first sub accord of the Canada-Métis National Accord, in the spirit of a true nation-to-nation relationship. Access to education and skills training has the power to change generations,” says Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.
The Government of Canada is taking a major step forward in its renewed nation-to-nation relationship with the Métis Nation. In a signing ceremony between the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Clément Chartier, President of the Métis National Council (MNC) and its five Governing Members, the Métis Nation Skills and Employment Training Accord became the first sub-accord to be endorsed by leaders following the Canada-Métis National Accord, signed in April 2017.
Today’s sub-accord is a commitment to work collaboratively to give every Métis person a real and fair chance at success. It paves the way for more Métis people to get the skills and training they need to find good jobs and thrive.
This sub-accord is a profound achievement; it demonstrates the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to a nation-to-nation relationship with Métis people, one that is framed by principles of reconciliation, including recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. It outlines the way in which Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the Métis National Council (MNC) and its Governing Members will work together to:
- give more Métis people the skills and education they need to succeed, including access to post-secondary education
- help more Métis people find and keep good jobs;
- expand Métis Nation capacity to deliver its own programs and services;
- position the Métis workforce to meet the demands of the next generation of jobs in our rapidly evolving economy
- implement the new Métis Nation Labour Market Strategy.
Budget 2018 announced that the Government of Canada is investing $2 billion over five years and over $400 million per year ongoing to create a new distinctions-based Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program that will help address employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, including a distinct Métis Nation funding stream. Until 2016, the then-called Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) had not received an increase in funding in 17 years. ESDC is working closely with Métis Nation on the co-development and implementation of a Métis Nation Labour Market Strategy which will be designed and delivered to better meet the needs of Métis people.
The new strategy includes increased funding to meet present-day needs; longer-term agreements so the MNC can plan with more predictability; greater flexibility that recognizes the Métis Nation understands its own needs best, and enhanced performance measurement to track results that matter. Working collaboratively within this nation-to-nation relationship, the new Skills and Employment Training Accord will deliver real progress on the journey of reconciliation.
