C-53 – The Recognition of Certain Métis Governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan and Métis Self-Government Act – would officially recognize the Métis governments of Alberta, Ontario, and Saskachewan.
As part of officially recognizing each of these groups as Indigenous governments C-53 sets the framework for negotiations with the federal government to set them up for self governance. This will establish their jurisdictions and their ability to make and enforce laws, as well as give them the ability to make their own decisions regarding citizenship, leadership selection, and internal administration.
A few quick things are worth noting here. First is that each of these groups will be negotiating their own treaties as they’re all seen as independent Indigenous governments. These treaties will also only deal with core governance that are internal to each Métis government and do not deal with land, harvesting, or land related rights.
Progress
C-53 was agreed to simply move on past its Second Reading without a vote and is currently before the Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
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