Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on May 10th, 2022

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

I'd like to direct my questions to Ms. Chartrand, but first I have a question.

Does the Manitoba Métis Federation represent all Métis in Manitoba, or just people who are part of the Red River Métis association? If you're Métis in Manitoba, but not from the Red River association, who represents you?

[Frances Chartrand]

We're a Métis government, not an association or a department. We represent all Métis who have ties to the Red River Métis as per our definition.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

I worked a few years in Norway House as a doctor in a hospital. As you know, there's the Norway House first nation, but there's the Métis settlement right beside it.

Do you represent them, or are they represented by some other body?

[Frances Chartrand]

Yes, we represent them. We have direct contact with our local chair there, whose name is Lloyd Flett. We have seven regions across the province of Manitoba, and Lloyd Flett is part of the Thompson region.

We represent all Métis citizens, regardless of where they live.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Very good.

I know Lloyd. I remember him from back when I was there. Say hello to Lloyd.

I would comment—and this will lead to a question—having worked there a couple of years in the hospital.... Am I correct that the people who happen to be from the Métis community—who, in a lot of ways seem pretty similar to the people who live in the first nations community—don't get the same benefits?

They don't get the same travel arrangements, they don't get dental, their don't get their eyeglasses paid for and they have to pay for all their medications, because they're Métis. Everyone right next door in the first nations community gets all that paid for. Is that right?

[Frances Chartrand]

Yes. I can answer that question.

No, we're not similar to first nations. We have our own language, our own culture and our own beliefs. You are absolutely right regarding first nation reserves and Métis communities. First nation reserves get access to all the programming and health services. The Métis citizens have to travel hundreds of miles to see a doctor. I come from a small community in central Manitoba. I live a mile from a first nations community. If I want to see a doctor, I drive right by the first nations health hub and health centre and have to travel 125 kilometres to go to see a medical doctor.

When you think about health services and health programs, and you think of the lack of supports and programming that we have across the province of Manitoba, you could tell by our research that the Red River Métis citizens have no programs and services. In fact, we get absolutely no funding or any support from the Province of Manitoba for any programming we do for our Métis citizens.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

You quoted some statistics. You said the Métis population had a 40% higher incidence of coronary artery disease, a 34% higher incidence of diabetes and a 49% higher incidence of amputation. Is that compared to the indigenous population, or presumably the whole population?

[Frances Chartrand]

It's compared to the whole population.

You probably know Dr. Judith Bartlett. She led the file and she led the research when we did the Métis atlas in 2010.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Do you know how that compares to the numbers for the first nations communities? Is it worse, better or about the same?

[Frances Chartrand]

Ours is worse. In fact, when we look at the research—we have a shorter version on our line—it's comparable to everyone. Our heart disease, our diabetes and our arthritis were higher than for any—even first nations—citizens across the province of Manitoba.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Do you think that's a result in part because of the lack of non-insured health benefits and because you don't get the same quality of medical services as first nations people?

[Frances Chartrand]

Not only first nations people, but I would say we don't get any health benefits compared to any citizens in the province of Manitoba and across Canada.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Okay.

You mentioned the PDP program. What does PDP stand for?

[Frances Chartrand]

The PDP program is a prescription drug program that was initiated by the Manitoba Métis Federation.

At our annual general assembly, after we found out all the research and everything that came through, we asked our citizens across the province of Manitoba what we could do to help our elders, our seniors and the most vulnerable. The direction they gave us was to go and find money and financial supports to help pay for their medication.

You heard earlier from some of our colleagues who were presenting that they're sharing medication. When you look at the poverty, and you look at the health of Métis grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, would you buy food for your grandchildren or would you pay for your medication? Would you pay your hydro bill or would you pay for your medication?

Then look at the information I shared earlier regarding how Métis citizens die earlier than any citizens across the province of Manitoba.

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Where does the funding for the PDP program come from?

[Frances Chartrand]

We're presently working with the federal government to come up with a plan. However, for all of the programming that we presently do the funding comes from our internal economic build. We're also looking at a tripartite solution where we work with the province, the federal government and the Métis government.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marc Garneau]

Thank you.

We will now go to Madame Gill.

Mrs. Gill, you may go ahead. You have six minutes.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to thank the witnesses for being with us today.

We've heard from a number of witnesses in the past few meetings, and they raised an array of issues. Métis representatives often referred to the Constitution. Witnesses spoke about section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, discussions with provincial governments and the challenges indigenous people face. Ms. Chartrand, for instance, told us about how people have to choose between their health and basic needs such as shelter. We also heard about the inequity.

What are the reasons behind that persistent inequity?

The question is for all of the witnesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marc Garneau]

Ms. Chartrand, if you want you can start off and then we will go to the other witnesses as well for comment.

[Frances Chartrand]

I don't speak French so I probably need some assistance regarding the question. I would like to apologize now for that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Marc Garneau]

It's not a problem. Did any of the witnesses get the translation?

I will turn to Ms. Friesen if you wish to comment.

[Marg Friesen]

Yes. Thank you.

One of the inequalities between indigenous peoples of Canada is access to health care. First nations citizens have access to non-insured health benefits and preventative programming and screening. Métis citizens do not.

Even though we are members of indigenous peoples of Canada, and we are under section 35 of the Canadian Constitution, we do not have the same benefits as our first nations relatives. It causes a great deal of inequity, and geography is a large factor in how folks access services.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Sorry to cut you off, but I have a limited amount of time.

I brought up the persistent inequity, because I wanted to know what the reasons behind it were, in your view. We are here to find answers. We are working from the principle that inequity exists, so what should we do?

Someone mentioned tripartite discussions with provincial governments, but I am wondering why the inequity persists to this day. People should have the right to receive health care worthy of the name. Community members frequently have to travel to access that care because health care facilities are so far away.

In your view, what are the reasons for the persistent inequity?

[Marg Friesen]

Thank you for your question.

Yes, I'd like to answer that.

I think one of the major barriers is the discussion and the conversation, and who is representing the Métis people of Canada. Our jurisdictions are very distinct although we are collaborative. Métis peoples have never had this opportunity. The national accord on health signed in 2017 and the self-government agreement that the Métis Nation signed in 2019 really distinguish what it is that Métis citizens are lacking in their communities across the country.

We're specifically talking about non-insured health benefits, because we would like to see equity for the Métis citizens in Saskatchewan we represent, and Métis citizens of Canada across the country.

As Ms. Chartrand, my Manitoba colleague, has stated, Métis citizens die earlier than other Canadians across the country because of their access to health care and the large inequities in prevention and screening. There isn't breast cancer screening in the north. The mobile—

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Again, I apologize for interrupting you.

You're saying that consultation is lacking. The Métis are not at the decision-making table and are having to deal with a lack of services. They actually receive no coverage under the NIHB program.

Is that correct?