“I stand firmly behind the points of agreement”

On October 7, 2004—exactly three months after the signing of the Métis Nation of Ontario’s landmark interim Harvesting Agreement—Ontario Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay made a clear and powerful statement: “I stand firmly behind the points of agreement we reached with the Métis Nation of Ontario”.

On July 7, 2004, the Métis Nation of Ontario and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources announced a groundbreaking interim harvesting arrangement, known as the “Four Points Agreement.” This agreement was negotiated in the wake of the Supreme Court’s unanimous R. v. Powley decision in September 2003, which affirmed the constitutionally protected harvesting rights of the Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community and set a precedent for other historic Métis communities within the Métis homeland.

Though the final implementation details of the Four Points Agreement remained under discussion in October 2004, Minister Ramsay’s public affirmation of the agreement and Ontario’s recognition of MNO Harvester’s Cards represented a profound shift in Métis rights recognition by the province. It also opened the door for further collaboration, research, and long-term agreements rooted in evidence and mutual respect.

Backed by Métis Nation leaders across the Homeland and celebrated by neighbouring First Nations, the Four Points Agreement—and the Minister’s unwavering support—helped solidify the foundation for a new era of Métis rights recognition, reconciliation, and government action rooted in justice and partnership.

See Our Sources

• Ontario Recognizes Métis Nation of Ontario Harvest Cards

• 2004 MNO-MNR Harvesting Agreement Map

• MNO PlainSpeak Harvesting Document

• MNC’s Supreme Court Factum in Powley

• R. v. Powley, [2003] 2 S.C.R. 207, 2003 SCC 43

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