Thank you so much to the committee for the invitation to appear today. I'm joining you from Treaty No. 6 territory and the Métis homeland in Edmonton, Alberta.
My name is Victoria Pruden. I serve our nation as the president of the Métis National Council, the recognized Métis-specific national indigenous organization in Canada since 1983. I'm a proud Michif iskwew—Métis woman—mother and grandmother with deep ancestral roots in Métis nations spanning the Métis homeland.
Métis have long played a critical role in Canada's economic prosperity. We've been partners in building this country and its economy. This context informs the recommendations I'm going to be highlighting today.
Our message to the committee today is simple: The Métis nation can be a full partner in housing, major projects, procurement and workforce development while responding to the pressing needs of Métis governments and our citizens, but budget 2026 must renew distinctions-based capacity investments that make this possible. Canada is entering a period of generational investments in housing, infrastructure, major projects, clean energy, trade diversification, procurement reform and workforce development. We support these priorities and want to ensure that Métis governments are full partners in their design and delivery.
The most successful federal investments in the Métis nation over the last decade have been distinctions-based, co-developed and supported by long-term capacity funding. These investments have produced measurable results in areas such as housing, economic development, education and workforce development, and they are grounded in the recognition that Métis governments are best positioned to design and deliver these programs for their citizens. This approach also improves efficiency and value for money by leveraging existing Métis governance structures and infrastructure within those governments and by reducing duplication in program delivery. Budget 2026 presents an opportunity to build on these successes and efficiencies.
The recommendations in our submission are interconnected and designed to strengthen and build more resilient Métis communities. At the same time, they're complementary to Canada's broader economic growth and nation-building agenda, while advancing shared outcomes.
Given the committee's focus on economic growth, I'm going to focus my remarks today on two areas where targeted investments can generate immediate and long-term benefits for both the Métis nation and Canada: economic development and housing.
Canada is pursuing an ambitious agenda focused on housing construction, major projects, clean energy, transportation corridors, trade diversification and procurement reform. Métis workers and businesses are already active in many of the sectors driving this growth, including construction, manufacturing, transportation and resource development. In 2020, Métis businesses and enterprises contributed $25.4 billion to Canada's GDP—not an insignificant contribution.
However, all federal economic development funding that supported the MNC and Métis governments sunsetted at the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year. As Canada advances major economic initiatives, Métis governments currently lack a dedicated source of funding to support continued participation in these opportunities, thus causing a risk of shrinkage and growing gaps in terms of Métis contribution to GDP in the Canadian economy.
The Métis National Council is requesting $3.8 million over three years to build foundational economic development capacity within the MNC and among our governing members. This investment would support procurement coordination, major project participation, strategic economic planning, business engagement and trade development, including efforts to diversify opportunities both interprovincially and internationally through initiatives such as IPETCA, the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement. This modest investment would ensure that Métis governments, businesses and workers are positioned to contribute to Canada's economic future, rather than being left behind by it.
Housing remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Métis citizens across the homeland. At the same time, Métis governments have demonstrated a strong track record in delivery through the Canada-Métis nation housing sub-accord, underpinned by the Métis nation housing strategy. This strategy supports thousands of households through home ownership programs, housing repairs, rental assistance, and affordable housing initiatives.
The importance of this work is reflected in the fact that as I appear before this committee today, the Métis National Council is convening elected leaders and technical experts from five Métis governments across the homeland in Edmonton for our inaugural Métis policy forum. It's taking place in the next room. Housing is its primary focus. This forum is bringing our nation together to identify shared priorities, advance solutions and help inform the next chapter—