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Following up on the Métis Nation’s meeting with First Ministers on the economy ten days ago, President Chartier spoke with federal and provincial innovation and economic development ministers in Vancouver today.
President Chartier and AFN representative Richard Nerysoo briefed federal, provincial and territorial ministers of innovation and economic development at a breakfast meeting in Vancouver. The ministers have established a sub-committee on Indigenous Economic Development with a work plan focused on fostering corporate reconciliation and enhancing Indigenous business support.
President Charter provided an overview of the work the Métis Nation has been doing with INAC and its counterparts from the five westernmost provinces since 2009 on the Métis Economic Development Strategy. He also identified the support and input of the private sector in this work which will be helpful in promoting reconciliation and inclusion of the Métis people in economic growth. A number of provincial ministers together with federal Minister Navdeep Bains agreed on the need for Canada to ensure greater labour force participation and skills development of Indigenous peoples if Canada is to meet the economic challenges of an aging population.
President Chartier advised the Ministers that he had called on the Prime Minister and the Premiers of the five Provinces to send their ministers to a fourth Métis Economic Development Symposium to accelerate joint efforts to advance economic opportunities. He also encouraged their participation in MEDS IV as ministers responsible for industry and economic development to ensure that the Métis Economic Development Strategy benefits from the fullest support of the Provinces beyond the limited support that has been provided by their respective Indigenous affairs departments.
