On June 21, 2023, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, with the support of the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (“MN‑S”), the Métis Nation of Alberta, and the Métis Nation of Ontario (together, the “Métis Governments”), announced the introduction of Bill C-53, An Act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan, to give effect to treaties with those governments and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
Bill C-53 was co-developed by the Government of Canada (“Canada”) and the Métis Governments, and it delivers on the commitments made in the updated self-government agreements signed by Canada and each of the Métis Governments earlier this year.
In the updated self-government agreement between Canada and the MN‑S, Canada formally recognizes the MN‑S as the Indigenous government with the exclusive mandate to represent the Métis collectivity in Saskatchewan, also known as the Métis Nation within Saskatchewan, and to advance the collectivity’s rights and interests under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. In the agreement, Canada also confirms that the MN‑S has jurisdiction over its core governance matters, each of which is critical to the Métis Nation within Saskatchewan’s right to self-determination, and the parties commit to engage in further negotiations with a view to resolving outstanding Métis claims in Saskatchewan and to concluding a self-government treaty within the next two years.
Bill C-53 represents a key component of Canada’s commitment to work with the MN‑S to advance towards reconciliation and to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Bill C-53 also represents a key component of the MN‑S’s efforts to renew the parties’ nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship and to realize the MN‑S’s visions for self-determination and a better future for its citizens and communities.
Cassels acted as counsel for the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan.