Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord to provide $500 million over 10 years
Minister Bennet is joined by Métis National Council President Clément Chartier and other Governing Members of the Métis National Council at the signing ceremony for the Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord.
In a first-of-its kind agreement, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Governing Members of the Métis National Council (MNC), and MNC President have signed the Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord.
After the signing ceremony, MNC President Clément Chartier said the sub-accord marked "another important step on the path to forging a real nation-to-nation relationship with the federal government and addressing the pressing needs of our people for housing".
"The needs of the Métis Nation are best identified by the Métis Nation and we need to work in partnership to address them," noted Minister Carolyn Bennett. "The agreement is one step in demonstrating our government's commitment to a renewed relationship with the Métis Nation, one based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership."
Intended to address the core housing needs of the citizens of the Métis Nation, the sub-accord will be funded by a $500 million investment over 10 years from Budget 2018.
It's the first time the Government of Canada has provided federal funding to Métis citizens for housing and it empowers the Métis Nation to manage funding to address these needs in the way they decide is most effective and appropriate.
The agreement is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to provide funding that is responsive to Métis Nation priorities: buying new houses, repairing existing houses and providing rent-supplements to families in need.
As part of the National Housing Strategy, the Government of Canada, including Indigenous Services Canada, is committed to co-develop distinctions-based housing strategies with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
The sub-accord outlines the design, delivery and administration of housing services undertaken by the Governing Members of the Métis Nation.
The Métis Nation housing agreements will include elements such as financial reporting, performance measurement and evaluation to ensure accountability of federal investments.