Métis Nation of Ontario calls for federal land claim process
After 171 years of broken land promises, the Metis Nation of Ontario are calling on the federal government to create framework for dealing with historical grievances.
Members from the Metis Nation of Ontario gathered in Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday to sign a letter to the federal and provincial governments, asking for the development of a formal Métis land claim process.
"You can't have a process that allows for First Nations and Inuit to have a fair, transparent and properly-resourced process, while Métis simply can't apply because of a technicality created by Indian affairs," said Mitch Case, Region 4 councillor for the Métis Nation of Ontario.
Oct. 21 marked the 171st anniversary of Treaty Commissioner William B. Robinson's report to the Crown that included the promise to protect Metis lands that make up part of the Sault's downtown core.
"Until I hear from Canada a firm no, at which point we would have to consider other options, I'm hopeful," Case said. "Whether it be monetary compensation or land-in-lieu, frankly, that's the conversation that needs to be supported by that first request, the research and consultation component because we have to have that conversation with (the) community."
Case said he would be meeting with Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan for further consultations, which was confirmed by Sheehan in a statement.
"The federal government has signed a historic Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements with Métis partners, including the Métis Nation of Ontario," Sheehan stated.
"These agreements affirm the Métis right of self-government and also set out next steps to formally recognize Métis governments as Indigenous governments in Canadian law. They also set out processes for negotiating other agreements dealing with additional areas of jurisdiction in the future."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.