Court of Appeal upholds landmark ruling on rights of Mtis - Action News
Home WebMail Sunday, November 10, 2024, 10:34 PM | Calgary | 0.3°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Indigenous

Court of Appeal upholds landmark ruling on rights of Mtis

The Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that Mtis people should be considered Indians under the Canadian Constitution.

Off-reserve aboriginal people say decision is yet another victory in what has been a long legal saga

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief Betty Ann Lavalle responds to a question during a news conference about the impact of a federal court decision on Mtis and Non-Status Indians on January 8, 2013 in Ottawa. (Canadian Press)

The Federal Court of Appeal has largely upheld a landmark ruling that could extend Ottawa's responsibilities to hundreds of thousands of aboriginal people who are not affiliated with specific reserves and have essentially no access to First Nations programs, services and rights.

Off-reserve aboriginals say the appeals court decision is yet another victory in what has been a long legal saga with the federal government.

"Mtis and non-status Indians have never been granted the same recognition and rights as those provided (to) status Indians living on reserve," said Betty Ann Lavallee, national chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.

"They have been shut out for far too long on being recognized for who they are and where they fit within the Canadian society."

Legal battle began in 1999

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples and several Mtis and non-status Indians took the federal government to court in 1999, alleging discrimination because they were not considered "Indians" under a section of the Constitution Act.
A Federal Court upheld a ruling declaring Mtis should be considered 'Indians' under the Constitution. (CBC)

They argued they have been denied certain benefits, which included:

access to the same health-care, education and other benefits made available to status Indians;

being allowed to hunt, trap, fish and gather on public lands; and,

the ability to negotiate and enter into treaties with the federal government.

The Mtis and non-status Indians scored a major victory last year when the Federal Court recognized them as "Indians" under the Constitution.

The federal government appealed that ruling.

On Thursday, the appeals court upheld part of the decision. It ruled that while Mtis should remain Indians under the Constitution, extending that recognition to non-status Indians should be done on a case-by-case basis since it is a separate issue.

"It follows that non-status Indians as a group do not lend themselves to the declaration of general application sought by the respondents," wrote Justice Eleanor Dawson.

"However the matter is considered, no purpose is served by addressing the question on the generic basis proposed: the declaration lacks utility and will not settle any issue between non-status Indians and the federal government."

Still, Mtis groups celebrated the decision.
Clement Chartier, president of the Mtis National Council, is seen at a ceremony to honour Mtis veterans in November 2009. (David Vincent/The Associated Press)
"We as Mtis are a practical people who seek practical solutions to make the Canadian federation work for us. As residents and taxpayers of the provinces, we always accepted that the provinces have an important role to play with us," Mtis National Council president Clement Chartier said in a statement.

"At the same time, we always believed that Ottawa has primary responsibility to deal with us and must show leadership. The decision today buttresses this belief. The federal government can no longer shrug its shoulders and assume that Mtis matters will be dealt with by others, all the while knowing this is not being done."

Appealto Supreme Court likely

If the federal government appeals again, the case would go the Supreme Court.

Should that ever happen, and if the Supreme Court sides with the Mtis people, it could still take years before the ruling translates into any actual benefits for them. The government would have to reshape its policies and enter into negotiations with the Mtis.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt's office would not say whether the government plans to appeal.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt has not ruled out an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. (Sean Kilpatrick/CP)
"We are pleased that the court granted part of our appeal, and we are reviewing all elements of today's decision to determine next steps," spokeswoman EricaMeekessaid in an email.

She also defended the government's decision to appeal the original Federal Court decision.

"Our priority is to create jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians, including Mtis," Meekes said.

"Given that the previous Federal Court decision raised complex legal issues it was prudent for Canada to obtain a decision from a higher court."

The federal Liberals called on the Conservatives to start talks with the Mtis people.

"This important clarification of the responsibilities of the federal government to Mtis peoples in Canada has been a long time coming," Carolyn Bennett, the party's aboriginal affairs critic, said in a statement.

"Liberals believe fundamental issues like this should be resolved around a negotiating table and not in a court room.

"It is time for the government to initiate good faith negotiations with these communities about how they will work collaboratively to implement the rights affirmed by the court today."

Corrections

  • The headline on an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the Appeal Court ruling granted "Indian status" to Mtis. In fact, the ruling declared that Mtis are Indian under the Constitution. Status under the Indian Act is a matter of negotiation for the federal government.
    Apr 17, 2014 3:54 PM ET