Effective Policies, Promising Times Notes for
an address by

Mr. Rod Bruinooge, MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

to The Métis Nation of Ontario

Thunder Bay, Ontario
July 13, 2007

Check against delivery

Thank you for that kind introduction.

I’ve served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development for well over a year now. It thrills me just as much to address a Métis audience today as it did last April when I made my first official address at the Métis National Council in Winnipeg.

Much of my upbeat attitude stems from progress I’ve observed on important and prominent Métis issues since I assumed this role. I admit that my Métis heritage has a lot to do with my excitement—as you can imagine, I have a bias toward Aboriginal issues that extends well beyond my position as a parliamentarian. But in truth, anyone in my position—regardless of heritage—would be encouraged by what we have witnessed in recent years.

Growing up, I learned that Métis consider themselves the forgotten people of Canada. We seem to have developed a culture in which we believe that we’ve fallen through the cracks with respect to Aboriginal designations and rights. I am here today to assure you that this is not the case; issues important to all Aboriginal people are a major priority of Canada’s New Government.

When I made my first address to the Métis National Council last April, I cited the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2003 Powley harvesting decision as evidence that Métis were receiving due respect from federally appointed authorities. That decision demonstrated significant progress toward protecting the Métis peoples’ designation as Aboriginal. I also pointed out during that address that in the wake of the Court’s decision, the federal government has worked diligently with provincial governments and Métis to come up with harvesting solutions acceptable to all parties.

I am aware that just last month the Ontario Court of Justice stayed charges against three Métis men who held harvesters’ cards issued by the Métis Nation of Ontario, but who had been charged by the Ministry of Natural Resources with fishing violations.

I’m pleased to learn the Government of Ontario has decided not to appeal the court decision and will be sitting down with the Métis Nation of Ontario to discuss further cooperation.

This is one more important precedent in the long-running negotiation between Métis Nations and federal and provincial governments on the right of Métis to harvest their lands.

My physical presence here today is proof of the federal government’s commitment to Aboriginal issues. The fact that I—a Métis—am addressing you as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister demonstrates that your interests and concerns are taken into account. I discuss the issues with the Minister on a regular basis and I assure you that he is eager to work with all Aboriginal peoples in a constructive and ongoing relationship. In particular, the Minister has been working diligently to ensure Aboriginal peoples capitalize on the unprecedented economic opportunities that will become available over the next few years.

It’s no exaggeration that the time for economic development among Aboriginal Canadians and their communities has never been better. Canada’s economy is booming. The Aboriginal population in Canada is young and expanding rapidly, while Statistics Canada is predicting labour shortages across the country because baby boomers are retiring in droves.

Let me give you just a sampling of the exciting opportunities and valuable federal government initiatives that offer Aboriginal peoples across Canada a break from the tired, ineffective policies of the past:

• The Human Health Resources Initiative provides $10 million in funding to support bursaries and scholarships for Métis students pursuing studies in health sciences. It also aims to build the capacity of Métis organizations to engage in health human resources planning.
  
  
• A new unit within the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development combines Aboriginal Business Canada and the department’s economic development programming function. This unit offers crucial funding to individuals and businesses to develop feasible plans and pursue critical business priorities for Aboriginal Canadians.
  
  
• The federal government’s renewal of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy has been redesigned to address the needs of people living in cities by focusing on economic opportunities.
  
  
• The Aboriginal Workforce Partnership Initiative has secured partnership agreements between some of Canada’s leading companies and public agencies, a notable one signed in January with Siemens Canada. These partnerships—which are critical to the creation of economic growth—help employers to recruit Aboriginal employees and place them in key positions within organizations. The goal of the initiative is not to create jobs but to link employees with existing jobs. So what we’re creating with the Aboriginal Workforce Partnership Initiative is opportunity. It links qualified Aboriginal job seekers with companies that have quality positions waiting to be filled.
  
  
• In fact, my colleague, Minister Solberg, the Minister of Human Resources, is in Vancouver today making an announcement of $105 million dollars for new projects across Canada that will help Aboriginal people gain new skills and employment opportunities, while helping industry meet its demand for more skilled labour. An estimated 9,000 Aboriginal people are expected to be trained as a result.

The programs I’ve described are important to the overall success of economic development for Aboriginal peoples and their communities. Politicians and Aboriginal groups are learning more every day about the practical ways to ensure Aboriginal peoples succeed. But it is critical to recognize that federally or provincially sponsored programs are not the whole solution.

I know from personal experience that economic success is assured only when the people involved adopt a self-reliant attitude to help realize the kinds of opportunities I’ve been speaking about.

I took it upon myself to gain a good education and to turn my learning into a business and political career.

What I have achieved, however, did not occur overnight. I cannot overstate the importance of my education in my plan to realize success. My schooling imparted not only useful information, but also skills that enabled me to make wise decisions and organize my life so that my goals were attainable. Those skills equipped me with the knowledge and ability to win a seat in the House of Commons and before that to build a profitable business.

The success I’ve enjoyed is within reach for all resourceful Métis ready and willing to seize today’s educational and economic opportunities. At the same time, it is critical that federal and provincial governments continue to sit down with Métis regularly to hash out issues and obstacles to progress and find ways to cooperate. I know that Minister David Ramsay, the Ontario Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, who will address you this afternoon, believes as deeply as I do in the value of cooperation.

Under the sound policies of Canada’s New Government, Métis issues have been moving steadily forward. I am personally committed to ensuring that trend continues. I have the backing of a Minister and federal government that will continue to support you with effective programs. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with the Métis Nation of Ontario that will lead to positive, measurable economic outcomes.

Thank you.