MMF President David Chartrand Remarks on Bill C-5

June 16, 2025

Good afternoon.

Thanks for the invitation to present today on Bill C-5, and, in particular, the Building Canada Act.

The MMF is the National Government of the Red River Métis and represent our Citizen's rights, claims, and interests no matter where they live - inside and outside of Manitoba. The Red River Métis are Canada's Negotiating Partner in Confederation and the Founders of Manitoba. We are the only Indigenous People to bring a province into Canada.

As Canada's Partner we have a special interest in the ongoing success and integrity of our Country. As Partners we protected the borderlands at the 49^th parallel and enlisted by the masses to fight for our freedoms and protect democracy in World Wars I, II, and the Korean War. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we will continue to protect our country and take a strong stand in the face of conflict.

We are told that Indigenous partnership is at the heart of this legislation. We take this to mean there will be Red River Métis, First Nations, and Inuit participation but it is not obvious where, when and how we will participate.

We know that, while not included in this legislation, this government has also signaled investments in clean and conventional energy, affordable housing and urban development, as well as defense and sovereignty. These are all issues of national import, and we will expect to be included as they roll out.

What is clear is that Canada will be asking a lot from us to support this Bill and contribute to Nation-Building efforts, but trust between Canada and our Nation has eroded.

In 1870, in establishing Manitoba, the Red River Métis negotiated a unique treaty that included land for our families and children. Subsequently we were not recognized by Canada as a people or nation nor did we receive the land. It was a dark time in Canada's history.

In its ruling on the unfulfilled Métis land grant section of the Manitoba Act 1870, the Supreme Court of Canada held that the "ongoing rift in the national fabric that section 31 was adopted to cure remains unremedied" and that the "unfinished business of reconciliation of the Métis people with Canadian sovereignty is a matter of national and constitutional import".

The 2024 Canada - Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty is the first Métis modern treaty and an important step towards Reconciliation with the Red River Métis, however the Treaty will not come into force until Implementation Legislation is passed.

As Canada seeks to strengthen the federation, part of that effort should be devoted to remedy that rift in the national fabric and the unfinished business of reconciliation with our Citizens.

When I return home, my People will ask how can we ensure this Bill won't disregard our Section 35 rights, walk back the advancements and near-completion of our Treaty, nor negate the hard fought progress on the Land Claim.

Moving to put our Treaty into force and settling our land claim should be recognized as a national interest that should also be fast-tracked as these would give us more tools to invest in these major projects.

The MMF and its Citizens are pro-growth.

Bill C-5 will contribute to the economic transformation of Canada. These measures will provide the tools and investment resources to continue to build Manitoba, the western provinces, and indeed Canada.

We welcome projects that will diversify markets, such as the Arctic Gateway Trade Corridor, and other projects that will uphold Canada's security and sovereignty.

We are no stranger to participating in major projects. In recent years, we:

• have worked with Enbridge and Manitoba Hydro on workforce participation;
• are currently developing wind energy projects;
• are building higher-density affordable housing;
• are constructing a high-efficiency and high-yield carbon-offset project where we will be growing 160 million trees in the coming decades;
• and we are major players in the revitalization of downtown Winnipeg.

I invite you to ask more questions on these projects after my presentation.

However, access to capital for these projects remains a serious obstacle. We have land and shovel-ready projects, and we are prepared to invest part of our future Land Claim settlement into these projects.

We will support this legislation, and are ready to walk side-by-side with Canada as well as the provinces and territories in its implementation.

We should not take lightly the threat that is coming from the South. The United States are looking at our Natural Resources. In my speeches going back 20 years, I said that water is the fight of the future and it is now coming.

Trump has started an economic war with Canada, to beat us and bring us down. The Red River Métis will kneel for no one. We stand with you, let's stand together.

Thank you,

MMF President David Chartrand

 

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