Statement from Métis National Council Vice-President and National Spokesperson David Chartrand on the Prime Minister’s New Cabinet
We are pleased and encouraged by the Prime Minister’s new Cabinet appointments. They represent a good balance of new faces and experienced cabinet members who will provide a forward-looking and stable government. It was great to see the opportunities provided to those who together represent citizens from right across our country.
We are particularly pleased that Métis Nation Citizen the Honourable Dan Vandal has been appointed as Minister of Northern Affairs. We are also happy to see that the Honourable Jim Carr has been made the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for the Prairies. We congratulate everyone on their appointments.
The appointment of the Honourable Chrystia Freeland as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs is a positive signal to other governments, including our Métis Nation Government, of the federal government’s commitment to national unity and we look forward to a First Ministers Meeting.
As Canada’s negotiating partner in Confederation and founder of the province of Manitoba, the Métis Nation will return to our historical role of bringing the West into a united Canada. We will roll up our sleeves to continue to build our great country. We look forward to working with Prime Minister Trudeau, his new cabinet and doing our share for a prosperous and unified Canada.