(March 25, 2023) After nearly eight months, Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) has finally posted information on its website about going to court because of a federal department refusing to recognize MNBC as an “Indigenous governing body”.
The legal action, in this case a judicial review, pertains to a decision by the federal department of Indigenous Services Canada to refuse to recognize MNBC as an Indigenous governing body because the department claims MNBC does not meet the requirements to be considered an Indigenous governing body under the federal legislation. The allegations are untested in court. The refusal by the federal department stems from a request by MNBC to exercise jurisdiction over Métis children and family services.
Following passage in 2019 of federal legislation – Bill C-92 – An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth and families, then President of MNBC Clara Morin Dal Col, in February 2020, served notice to both the provincial and federal governments of MNBC’s intention to assume jurisdiction of Métis children (in the care of government) and family services. In May of 2022, a senior official of the federal department informed MNBC that it was not recognized as an Indigenous governing body. In July 2022, MNBC served notice in the Federal Court requesting a judicial review of that decision. The matter is still before the court.
BC Métis Leader and former MNBC President Clara Morin Dal Col asks, “Why did MNBC not post anything about this court action for nearly eight months? Why would they not have shared this information with citizens with a post on their website back in July 2022, when they filed their original documentation in court? Why was the issue not even discussed at the Métis Nation Governing Assembly (MNGA) with Community Presidents earlier this month?”
“Addressing the plight of our Métis children in government care has always been a high priority with me”, said Ms. Morin Dal Col, “And I had full confidence in our staff of the day that a new care structure would be better for our Métis children and families. I also knew that it would not happen overnight, and that it would involve lengthy negotiations with government, substantial internal preparations, input from our communities and input from our Métis service providers.”
The BC Métis Leader asks the following questions:
Why was nothing posted on the MNBC website for nearly eight months? Why the big secret?
How many millions of dollars did MNBC request from the federal government to take on this service and why wasn’t that dollar figure included in the MNBC post?
How much money does MNBC currently receive from the provincial government for Children and Families and what is that money being used for? More staff at head office?
Ms. Morin Dal Col said, “Transparency and accountability are two key requirements for any organization, including MNBC.”
-30-
For further information:
Contact Clara Morin Dal Col
BC Métis Leader
Email: cmdalcol@gmail.com
Comments