Métis Nation British Columbia declines to attend PM’s Bill C-5 summit after ‘disappointing’ observer invite

OTTAWA, ONT. — A meeting with the federal government and Métis Nations of Canada did not have representatives from British Columbia at the table.

A press release on Wednesday, August 6th from the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) says the Nation decided not to attend the Métis summit on the Building Canada Act with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Thursday, August 7th.

The statement said MNBC was only asked to sit in the meeting as an “online observer,” which it branded a “disappointing step backwards” in the relationship between the Nation and the federal government.

MNBC president Walter Mineault, who is from Dawson Creek, said the Nation “has committed to collaborating with Canada to address challenges, seize opportunities and uphold the priorities that impact Métis people in B.C. through meaningful agreements.”

“Failing to honour the commitments made to reconciliation not only undermines trust but is disrespectful to our people in our pursuit for justice, dignity and recognition,” said Mineault.

Officially known as C-5, the Building Canada Act would streamline infrastructure projects’ regulatory approval process.

Indigenous communities nationwide have stated such projects should not proceed without their consent, citing weakened environmental protections and the bypassing of proper consultation.

The Manitoba Métis Federation also did not attend the meeting, which included Carney and  Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc alongside Métis representatives from Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.

Energeticcity.ca has reached out to Mineault and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Indigenous Services, but did not hear back in time for publication.