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Métis Nation Economic Development

Metis Nation Economic Development Strategy

Canada-Métis Nation Economic Development Sub-Accord June 13, 2019

The sub-accord provides for $50 million over 5 years for Métis Nation capital corporations to support the start-up and expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises. It also establishes a Working Group toward the implementation of the priorities of the Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy.

Access to Capital for the Métis Nation (Proposal) October 16, 2018

This proposal sets out the business case and a Budget 2019 ask for enhancing access to capital for Métis Nation entrepreneurs and communities. It encompasses the recapitalization of the Métis capital corporations, a Major Projects Equity Fund, and a Green and Digital Economy Equity Fund.

Building Prosperous Partnerships for the Future: A Proposal for Métis Investment and Leadership in Canada’s Economy August 26, 2018

This proposal addresses a broad range of priorities within the Memorandum of Understanding on a Canada-Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy and Accord July 2018.

Memorandum of Understanding on a Canada-Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy and Accord July 2018

Economic development was identified as a second year priority under the Canada-Métis Nation Accord. This MOU establishes a working group of senior officials from Canada and the Métis Nation to renew and strengthen efforts to advance the development and
implementation of the Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy.

Métis Economic Development Accord March 18, 2015

The MNC entered into this Accord with the Harper government to work together to develop a strategy for Métis economic development. The Accord identifies business development, participation in major economic and resource development projects, labour force development, strengthening the role of Métis institutions in advancing economic development, and partnerships as the critical elements for a Métis economic development strategy;

Toward a Métis Economic Development Strategy March 2015

Report 1: Developing the Strategy

Report 1 provides an overview of the Métis Economic Development Symposiums (MEDS) held in Calgary in 2009, Vancouver in 2011 and Winnipeg in 2015. These Symposiums brought Métis Nation leadership together with federal and provincial Ministers and industry representatives to discuss successful approaches to economic development and capitalize on economic opportunities.

Report 2: The Existing Policy Framework for the Strategy

Report 2 examines the existing policy framework in which the Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy was developed. Building on the “Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development”, the Strategy sought to capitalize on expanded opportunity to partner with the private sector and government to build human and financial capital and generate wealth from increased economic activity.

Report 3: Findings and Recommendations

Report 3 captures the findings and recommendations from the MEDS conferences and related regional engagement sessions. These recommendations played a major role in shaping the critical elements of the Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy.

Report 4: MNC Recommendations for ASETS Renewal

Report 4 identifies the priorities of the Métis Nation in the planning of the renewal of the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS), a longstanding
Indigenous labour market development program and a critical part of the Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy.

Business Development

Access to Capital- Métis Nation Capital Corporations

Métis Nation capital corporations are professionally managed, arms-length financial institutions affiliated with the MNC Governing Members . They provide loans to support the start-up and expansion of small and medium-sized Métis enterprises as well as business advisory and support services.

Louis Riel Capital Corporation (Manitoba)

The Louis Riel Capital Corporation (LRCC) is a Manitoba Metis-owned lending institution created to finance the start-up, acquisition and/ or expansion of viable Metis controlled small businesses based in Manitoba. LRCC has been making loans to Métis business since 1992.

SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO)

SMEDCO is a Saskatchewan Métis-Owned lending institution created to finance the start- up, aquisition and/or expansion of viable Métis controlled small business based in Saskatchewan. SMEDCO has been making loans to Métis business since 1987.

Apeetogosan Metis Development Inc. (Alberta)

Apeetogosan is an Alberta Métis-owned lending institution committed to providing profitable and sustainable financial services and support to clients who seek the means to attain economic self-sufficiency. Apeetogosan has been making loans to Métis business since 1984.

Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF)

MVDF is an Ontario Métis-owned lending institution created to finance the start-up, acquisition and/ or expansion of viable Metis controlled small businesses based in Ontario. MVDF has been making loans to Métis business since 2010.

Métis Financial Corporation of B.C.(MFCBC)

MFCBC is a British Columbia Métis-owned lending institution created to finance the start-up, acquisition and/ or expansion of viable Metis controlled small businesses based in British Columbia. Its initial capitalization was the result of the 2016 federal budget allocation of $25 million for the development of the Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy. MFCBC will also participate in the 2019 federal budget allocation of $50 million for the Métis capital corporations.

Access to Capital-Métis Nation Equity Capital Providers

Clarence Campeau Development Fund (CCDF)

The Clarence Campeau Development Fund was established by The Métis Society of Saskatchewan Inc. subject to an agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan dated June 11, 1997. In September of 2001, an amendment to the Gaming Act recognized CCDF in legislation and a new agreement between the province and the Metis Nation Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc. was executed in December 2002. The objective of the Fund is to stimulate economic development activities of Métis people and communities by providing equity for Métis businesses, support to community economic development initiatives, and assistance for the development of the management skills of new and existing Métis business owners and entrepreneurs.

Metis Economic Development Fund (MEDF)

MEDF provides equity and/or debt financing for Manitoba Métis entrepreneurs and businesses to support economic development initiatives. MEDF concentrates on businesses and entrepreneurs which are in growth, expansion, or acquisition phases. The Fund may also invest in start-up ventures when the viability of the business outweighs the increased investment risk.

Access to Capital-Indigenous Growth Fund

Indigenous Growth Fund

Budget 2019 provides $100 million for the creation of an Indigenous Growth Fund that will leverage government investment to raise additional capital from institutional
investors. Managed by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, this Fund will allow all Aboriginal Financial Institutions, including Métis Capital Corporations, to support more Indigenous entrepreneurs and more ambitious projects.

Procurement

Modernization of Indigenous participation in procurement: discussion paper 2019

In 2016, a Government of Canada-wide approach to update the way in which the Government of Canada purchases goods and services was launched. As part of this procurement modernization process, Crown-Indigenous relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) started a review of the federal approach to Indigenous participation in procurement (Indigenous procurement), including the 22 year-old Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (PSAB). CIRNAC's goal is to strengthen procurement policies, guidelines and mechanisms to maximize the participation of and benefit to Indigenous peoples, businesses and communities.

Discussion Paper: Towards a New Métis Benefits Strategy for Procurement MNC 2018

The purpose of this MNC proposal is to outline a new “Métis Benefits Strategy” in response to recent commitments by the federal government in relation to the Métis Nation and broader efforts to modernize procurement across government, including Indigenous procurement. This strategy focuses on enhancing access to procurement and employment opportunities in areas of the public and private sector where the federal government has influence.

Modernizing Federal Procurement for Small and Medium Enterprises, Women-Owned and Indigenous Businesses June 2018

This study from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates reviews the federal government procurement process and outlines the main challenges of the current procurement process along with the principal barriers preventing SMEs, women-owned and Indigenous businesses from accessing federal contracts. The Committee makes 40 recommendations to improve the federal government procurement process.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce-Lessons in Reconciliation: What We Heard in Saskatoon May 13 2019

As the federal government seeks to modernize its procurement policies to provide more opportunities for Indigenous suppliers, it should look to business and other levels of government for inspiration. This report from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce focuses on the efforts of its Saskatchewan branch to achieve reconciliation through procurement, workplace education, and human resource recruitment .

Canadian Aboriginal & Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)

CAMSC provides and continually strengthens a nationwide information and referral network, which links major corporations and institutions with Aboriginal and minority owned businesses.

Provincial Indigenous Procurement

Provincial Indigenous Procurement Program of Manitoba

The Manitoba Government, jointly with the Indigenous business community, including the Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce, review best practices from other jurisdictions and develop a more effective Indigenous Procurement Initiative for Manitoba that will increase economic benefits for all Manitobans in the long run.

Provincial Indigenous Procurement of Ontario

There are more than 9,000 Indigenous business owners in Ontario, with 75% of Indigenous business owners reporting a net profit and 80% reporting steady or increasing revenues. The provincial government has huge buying power– nearly $6 billion in
procurement contracts annually. That means we can use government procurement to: Grow Indigenous businesses; Support economic development opportunities in communities; Narrow the socioeconomic gap between Indigenous and nonIndigenous people. Indigenous procurement opportunities build stronger Indigenous businesses, which can better support other government strategic and economic priorities.

Participation in Major Projects

Métis Involvement in Major Projects January 2017

This report updates research and findings related to Métis participation in major projects. It provides an inventory of projects across the Métis Nation homeland and examines ways to enhance the participation of Métis communities in all phases of the projects.

Bill C-69 An Act to enact the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, to amend the Navigation Protection Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts June 2019

The bill, which was passed by Parliament in June 2019, will overhaul both the National Energy Board Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Act, changing how major infrastructure projects are reviewed and approved in Canada. Changes would include replacing the National Energy Board with a new “Canadian Energy Regulator” and an altered federal environmental assessments process to include a broad range of impacts to be reviewed by a new “Impact Assessment Agency.”

Climate Change and a Clean Growth Economy

Aligning the Métis Nation’s Economic Development Strategy with Canada’s Climate Change and Clean Growth Strategies March 2018

The Métis Nation has committed to collaborate with the Government of Canada in the Pan-Canadian Framework (PCF) on Clean Growth and Climate Change. This report
identifies the contributions that can be made by the Métis Nation in achieving global and national sustainable development goals and identifies opportunities arising from a shift to a clean growth economy.

Economic and Business Infrastructure of Métis Nation Communities

Enhancing the Economic and Business Infrastructure of Rural and Remote Métis Communities March 2019

An important element in the Métis Nation’s Economic Development Strategy is addressing the particular challenges faced by rural, northern, and remote Métis
communities in achieving economic development and becoming investment ready. This report focuses on how to meet the infrastructure needs of these communities in order to strengthen local assets.

Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada June 2019

This report sets out the federal government’s vision and strategy in maximizing its investments to accelerate progress, create jobs, and drive economic growth for
Canadians living in rural and remote communities.

High-Speed Access for All: Canada’s Connectivity Strategy 2019

The challenge of accessing affordable, high-speed Internet has been identified by many rural and remote communities including Métis communities as the number one issue impeding their economic growth. Central to Canada’s Rural Economic Development Strategy is Canada’s Connectivity Strategy, a commitment to connect every Canadian to affordable, high-speed Internet no matter where they live, and to improve mobile cellular access from coast to coast to coast. This report is the Government’s plan to coordinate investments along with complementary measures to ensure a connected Canada.

Providing High-Speed Internet Service In Rural and Remote Métis Communities October 2019

Federally-funded projects have targeted First Nations, with no specific effort to target
Métis communities. This report recommends an effort be mounted to identify
underserved Métis communities and specifically target them for broadband services. It
recommends that a pilot project be established, using Métis service providers.

Métis Nation Tourism

Toward a Métis Tourism Strategy January 2019

As part of Canada’s development of a national tourism strategy, the federal Minister of Tourism sought the input of the Métis Nation in identifying its priorities for such a strategy. This report looks at the potential to develop and expand a distinct Métis tourist industry based on three tourism clusters along “The Métis Trail”.

Partnerships

Métis Economic Development Symposium (MEDS)

Métis Economic Development Symposiums were held in Calgary in 2009, Vancouver in 2011 and Winnipeg in 2015. These Symposiums brought Métis Nation leadership together with federal and provincial Ministers and industry representatives to discuss successful approaches to economic development and capitalize on economic opportunities. MEDS IV is scheduled to be held in Vancouver March 3-5, 2020.