​Clara Morin Dal Col Team

Putting the Needs of Métis People First

Our commitments –

Good Governance –

1. Undertake a full review of the overall MNBC governance structure.

We will engage with our MNBC Citizens in undertaking a full review of the overall MNBC governance structure to determine how it can be more efficient and effective. The results of the review and recommendations will be put before all Citizens in a referendum type of process.

2. Establish an Elders Council.

This will be included as a proposal in our full review of the MNBC governance structure and consideration of ways to improve the existing structure. We respect and value the advice and counsel from Métis Elders, and because of this Clara Morin Dal Col was the first President of MNBC to appoint a Minister of Elders. We envision a Métis Elders Council being available to provide guidance and counsel to the MNBC Board, and to communities if needed.

3. Hold Board meetings in the Regions.

Increasing accountability and transparency in conducting MNBC Board business is a priority of the Clara Morin Dal Col Team. Holding quarterly meetings in the regions would bring this integral part of good governance closer to the people.

4. Publishing decisions reached in camera

The current Board operates in a climate of secrecy. We believe all decisions made in camera including (but not limited to) land purchases, leases, consulting contracts and salary decisions should be a matter of record for Citizens to view. Certain decisions legally required to be confidential would remain so.

Fiscal Responsibility, Accountability and Transparency -

5. Full review and disclosure of the state of MNBC Finances

A full review and disclosure of the state of MNBC Finances will be undertaken by our new Board beginning in the first 30 days of being sworn into office. This critical task will review all aspects of current and future government funding for MNBC and decisions made by the current Board, including any decisions made in camera regarding the expenditures of those dollars. The review will include an assessment of all expenditures made in all operational areas, including commitments made going forward. The review will include (but not be limited to) looking at all contracts, consultant costs, legal costs, vehicle purchases, travel expenses and project commitments of any type. This review is essential to know where MNBC stands financially today and going forward because a new federal government may not be so generous in funding Métis and other Indigenous organizations following the next federal election. The results of the review will be made available to MNBC Citizens. The findings of the review may require a more detailed financial analysis of certain aspects of operations.

6. Current High Board Salaries will be reviewed by outside independent group

An independent review of current Board salaries will be carried out by an outside group to make recommendations about the current amounts, and the salary amounts going forward.

7. Seeking input on proposed Annual Operating Budgets

Citizen input will be sought on Annual Operating Budgets to ensure budgets reflect the needs of Citizens.

8. Publishing Annual Operating Budgets

The current Board has failed to publish any annual operating budgets since 2022. The annual operating budgets for MNBC will be published on the MNBC website each April they are approved by the Board of Directors.

9. Implement a policy commonly referred to as a Sunshine Policy

Applying the principle of accountability and transparency the policy would require the disclosure of all MNBC salaries of $100,000 or more by April 30th of each year so that MNBC Citizens would know how much upper management staff are being paid.

10. List the names and amounts of all contractors and consultants on an annual basis

This is already a requirement of Article 9.2.1 of the MNGA Act, but the current Board has failed to comply with it. MNBC Citizens have the right to know who is on contract to MNBC providing any form of consulting services.

Domestic Violence -

11. Establish a $100,000 Domestic Violence Fund to help Métis parents and their children cover the costs of immediate expenses to leave a violent domestic situation.

The funds, up to $3000 would be available upon application for temporary accommodation, food, transportation and pharmaceutical costs, not covered by any other existing program at the provincial or federal level.

Healthcare for Métis People -

12. Advocate with the federal government to establish a health coverage program for Métis people.

Health services for Métis people should be funded by the federal government as they do for other Indigenous peoples. Through the Canada-Métis Nation Accord’s Permanent Bilateral meetings, a top priority for us beginning in 2025 will be securing funding for health services for Métis people in British Columbia through a funding accord at an equal level to funding for other Indigenous peoples.

Health funding assistance for our Métis people is required for various health services including hearing aids, transportation to health care facilities, medicine, home-care, eye glasses, away from home health stays, dental services, kidney dialysis machines, and home renovations to accommodate special health needs.

13. Review existing mental health services, and drug and alcohol treatment needs

There is a need to determine the effectiveness of MNBC’s existing mental health services, and also to assess current and future needs. What is being spent currently, and are the dollars making a difference. At the same time, drug and alcohol treatment services for Métis people are seriously lacking. In partnership with our communities an effective strategy will be developed to begin to address the problem.


14. Establish a Métis Pharmacy

Our Métis people should have an option of purchasing their prescriptions from a Métis-owned pharmacy either online or at an established location or both. We will research the feasibility, and if deemed viable, establish a Métis-owned pharmacy as a 100% MNBC owned enterprise, or in partnership with an already established pharmacy.

Métis Housing –


15. Carry Out Full Review of Housing-related Expenditures by Current Board

How much money has the current Board spent or committed to spend going forward on housing-related initiatives? Upon taking office, our new Board will initiate a review of all housing-related expenditures by the current Board to disclose all aspects of those purchases, including what properties have been purchased, how much was paid for each of the properties, how much was paid in commissions and to whom, who or what entity actually owns the properties, how much has been or s being paid to consultants, what future commitments and/or liabilities on the properties exist, what business plans for each of the properties exist, and what will it cost to actually proceed with development, if that should happen. The findings of the review will be made available to all citizens.

16. Enhance Funding for Métis Senior Home Repair Program

Many of our Métis seniors wish to remain in their own homes, but some of these seniors need help covering the cost of repairs and upgrades. Some seniors who have applied for assistance through the existing program have not even heard back after filing their applications. There is an increasing demand for this assistance, and we are committed to increase the funding available to help our seniors remain living in their homes comfortably and safely.

17. Métis Trades People Building Homes for Métis People

Subject to our findings of a complete review of all housing expenditures by the current Board (see Commitment #15), we will invest in housing for Métis people, while at the same time utilizing the skills of Métis tradespeople to build the homes. Single or multi-family homes will be constructed for Métis people in communities using Métis housing dollars combined with provincial and federal government programs through a rent to own initiative. This initiative will be carefully and responsibly designed to help Métis people realize their dream of owning their own home.

 
18. Métis Housing Project in Lower Mainland

Unlike the current Board, we are committed to working with any Métis community or Métis communities in the Lower Mainland to help address the housing needs for Métis people. There is a huge need for affordable housing for Métis people in the Lower Mainland, and subject to our review of housing-related expenditures of the current Board (see Commitment #15), our new Board will consider options of partnering with Métis communities and other organizations in investing in much-needed affordable housing projects for Métis people.

Children and Families -

We are committed to bringing home our Métis children who are currently in the care of the provincial government. The current Board has talked a lot about the issue, but done little and made very little progress.

19. The first step in bringing our Métis children home

Working closely with the 5 established Métis Children and Families Service providers, plus Métis children service providers in Williams Lake and Quesnel, and with the support of the provincial government, we will enter into discussions with the federal government to determine the feasibility and practicality of developing and implementing an initial pilot program to move the care of some Métis children from the provincial government to Métis Children and Families Service provider here in British Columbia. Proven success in the initial pilot program will lead to a broadening of the initiative to ultimately bring all Métis children home. Delegation status will be required of all service providers and additional funds will be earmarked for prevention programs.

20. Métis Children with Métis Families

We will initiate a program to raise the awareness of Métis families of the incredible importance and value to a Métis child of joining a Métis family through adoption or fostering. There are currently more than 700 Métis children in the care of the provincial government and they deserve to have a home with a Métis family.


Education –

21. A greater role for our Métis communities

We will advocate with the provincial government for our local Métis communities to have a greater role to play in the utilization of Targeted Indigenous Education Funding for our Métis school-age children because those funds should also be used for Métis culture and language learning tools for the Métis children in schools. In some school districts, Métis children make up the largest number of Indigenous children in school. The current Board failed to have Bill 40 changed when it was introduced in October 2023 in the BC Legislature, and then dropped the ball in the follow-up.

Citizenship Registry –

22. Improving the Citizenship Registry

The processing of renewals of MNBC Citizenship cards and the processing of new applications for MNBC Citizenship are taking too long. MNBC Citizens should not have to wait more than a year, and in some cases much longer to have their cards renewed or new applications processed. We will review the Citizenship Registry to determine how to improve turnaround time, and communications with applicants, citizens and community presidents.


MNBC Operations and Funding –

23. Métis Recruitment and Mentorship Program

We will establish a Métis Recruitment and Mentorship program to increase the number of Métis people working at MNBC. An effective program will enable young and older Métis people to become part of staff at MNBC and pursue careers with us through internships and other initiatives.

24. Funding for Communities

We are committed to providing a base funding amount annually to each of our Chartered communities to assist them in operating an office and offering services to our Métis people. This amount will be determined upon the completion of a financial review of MNBC finances and subject to future funding from the federal government.

25. Funding for Métis Women

We are committed to providing a base funding amount annually to our Provincial Métis Women to assist them in carrying out their mission and mandate. This amount will be determined upon the completion of a financial review of MNBC finances and subject to future funding from the federal government.

26. Funding for Métis Youth of BC

We are committed to providing a base funding amount annually to our Métis Youth of BC (MYBC) to assist them in carrying out their mission and mandate. This amount will be determined upon the completion of a financial review of MNBC finances and subject to future funding from the federal government.

27. Funding for Métis Service Providers

We are committed to providing a base funding amount annually to our Métis Children and Family Service Providers. They provide essential services to Métis children and families and require the certainty of funding to deliver services and retain their professional staff. This amount will be determined upon the completion of a financial review of MNBC finances and subject to future funding from the federal government.


Advancing Rights, Claims, Interests and Aspirations of Métis People

28. Through constructive and respective dialogue with senior governments utilizing the provisions of the Canada-Métis Nation Accord and the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we will advance the rights, claims, interests and aspirations of our Métis people in British Columbia. With regard to harvesting rights for Métis people in British Columbia we will re-engage with British Columbia in a step by step process to identify potential opportunities for Métis harvesters.
The Canada-Métis Nation Accord was signed in April 2017 by representatives of the Métis Nation and the Government of Canada. Clara Morin Dal Col, as President signed the document on behalf of MNBC and our Citizens. It was the first time in the history of Canada that a federal government entered into such an agreement. The document lays out the path for reconciliation with Métis people, and by 2019 resulted in 6 sub-accords for funding being signed by Ms. Dal Col bringing tens of millions of dollars in funding to MNBC each and every year. A key part of the Accord was the establishment of a Permanent Bilateral Mechanism in which an annual meeting with the Prime Minister takes place to help advance rights, claims, interests and aspirations of Métis People.
The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIP) was signed into law in Canada in June 2021. This legislation applies to all Indigenous Peoples, including Métis People, and advances the implementation of the Declaration as a key step in renewing the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples. Here in British Columbia, the BC Legislature unanimously approved the Declaration of Rights for Indigenous People Act (DRIPA) in 2019.