R. v. Powley and the Canada-Métis Nation Accord

The Métis Nation’s 2003 Supreme Court of Canada victory in R. v. Powley, and the strong foundation for Métis rights recognition that it affirmed, opened the door to the negotiation of numerous nation-to-nation and government-to-government agreements between Crown and Métis governments. One such agreement was the Canada-Métis Nation Accord.

The Canada-Métis Nation Accord was signed on April 13, 2017 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on behalf of Canada and the Métis Nation as represented by the Métis National Council and its then-Governing Members, the Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Metis Federation, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta, and Métis Nation British Columbia.

The Canada-Métis Nation Accord committed Canada and the Métis Nation to work together toward shared objectives aimed at achieving lasting reconciliation between Canada and the Métis Nation including advancing the rights, claims, interests and aspirations of the Métis Nation, ending the legacy of colonialism and colonial attitudes toward Métis, and improving socio-economic conditions of Métis and their access to social and economic programs and services that address their needs.

The Canada-Métis Nation Accord was negotiated and achieved following several pivotal legal victories for the Métis Nation, beginning with the unanimous Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Powley in 2003. As recognized in the Canada-Métis Nation Accord: 

“in 2003 the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Powley recognized that Métis communities, which emerged prior to effective control, possess Métis rights that are protected as Aboriginal rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982”

The Canada-Métis Nation Accord goes on to recognizes subsequent Supreme Court decisions, including Manitoba Metis Federation v. Canada (2013) and Daniels v. Canada (2016), that together laid the pathway for an enduring relationship between Canada and the Métis Nation. 

Through the Canada-Métis Nation Accord and its associated sub-accords, including those in housing, governance, early learning and childcare, post-secondary education, skills and employment, and economic development, the entire Métis Nation has accessed billions of dollars in Métis-specific funding through the federal government that has improved the lives of countless Métis citizens and families across the Homeland.

See Our Sources

• Canada-Métis Nation Accord

• Canada-Métis Nation Accord and Sub-Accords

• The Prime Minister of Canada and President of the Métis National Council welcome the Signing of the Canada-Métis Nation Accord

  
  

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