Metis a provincial matter

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Premier Peter Lougheed reaffirmed his government's responsibility for Alberta's Metis people, despite reports the Metis believe the burden lies with the federal government.

Under questioning in the legislature, Lougheed detailed the stand he took at the recent Ottawa constitutional conference on Aboriginal rights.

He said Metis representatives at the conference expressed the view the federal government has jurisdiction for the Metis, but that has not changed Alberta's position.

Lougheed told the house he would be meeting provincial Metis leaders in late April and expected to discuss jurisdiction.

"As of today, we still presume we have the primary responsibility," he said.

"If we receive communication from the Metis Association of Alberta, with proper confirmation that their membership and the various communities in the province hold to a similar view that the jurisdiction should be that of the federal government, we would reassess our position."

From his discussions at the conference with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Lougheed said he understood Trudeau personally " could see acceptance of that responsibility for the Metis people across Canada by the federal government."

Lougheed noted efforts to achieve the change would create many problems. The federal government "would anticipate a significant shift of provincial land to the federal government in order to meet their obligations."

To be settled as part of that shift would be the "very crucial question of who is and who is not a Metis," Lougheed added, pointing out the difficulties in achieving a consensus on the definition of Metis.

Land settlement negotiations by the Metis could be impeded as well, Lougheed told the house.

"Although I don't want to influence the decision of the Metis Association of Alberta, one does think if that policy change is made, there could be even further delay in the progress, that has been slow, in the land tenure program," he said.

Reprinted from the Edmonton Journal.