The Manitoba Metis Federation and the Metis Harvester Cards

Saturday, September 9, I spoke to the Annual General Meeting of the Manitoba Metis Federation.

In my speech, I affirmed our Liberal position that the provincial government should recognize the Metis Harvester Cards.

Several years ago, in a Supreme Court decision - now known as the Powley decision - it was affirmed that Metis have the legal right to hunt and fish.

When David Chartrand and the Manitoba Metis Federation tried to hold discussions with the NDP government to implement this court decision in Manitoba, the NDP were not helpful. As a result, David Chartrand and the MMF developed the Harvester Card System. Metis with Harvester Cards would be able to hunt but would have the responsibility to abide by limits which in some instances are more strict than a provincial hunting license would allow.

In developing the Harvester Card system, the emphasis is on wise stewardship of our resources, and on responsibilities which match the rights provided for under the Supreme Court Decision. In my speech a told the assembled delegates that a provincial Liberal Government would work with the Manitoba Metis Federation to enable implementation of the Harvester Card System so that we can have strong co-operative province-wide stewardship.

In the top photo I am speaking to the MMF Assembly. In the bottom photo, I am presenting David Chartrand with a copy of the history of our provincial Manitoba Liberal Party - Battling for a Better Manitoba.