Metis leaders strike note of optimism after meeting with Carney on major projects

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during the First Nations Summit at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on Thursday, July 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

OTTAWA — Metis leaders left a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday saying they’re confident they will be included in talks about major projects Ottawa hopes to use to bolster the economy in the face of a trade war with the United States.

“When things really matter, Metis governments come together and we get the work done,” said Metis Nation of Ontario president Margaret Froh.

“There was a lot of like-minded people around that table today that want to move our Metis governments forward, and Canada forward. It was a great day,” said Metis Nation of Alberta president Andrea Sandmaier.

At the start of Thursday’s meeting in Ottawa, Carney called on Metis leaders to help make the economy more resilient in response to an increasingly unsteady trade relationship with the United States under U.S. President Donald Trump.

“We have the opportunity to work together on transformative projects that can help change the economic trajectory of our country to the benefit of all,” Carney said to Metis leaders from Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the N.W.T. gathered for the meeting.

“As we build a new Canada, we’re going to build it in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, and that’s why we’re here today.”

The meeting was called to discuss the Carney government’s major projects legislation, which allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big industrial projects it deems to be in the national interest by sidestepping environmental protections and other legislation.

While the legislation was passed quickly in June with the support of the opposition Conservatives, it was widely condemned by Indigenous leaders who said their rights were not respected when the bill was being drafted. They also said they feared that their rights would not be upheld in project approvals and that they wouldn’t be adequately consulted.

Thursday’s meeting with Metis leaders was the last in a series of meetings the prime minister promised after the bill was passed. Carney and his cabinet have met already with First Nations and Inuit leaders.

The Manitoba Metis Federation, which represents Red River Metis, turned down an invitation to take part in the meeting Wednesday. It said that inviting the Metis Nation of Ontario undermined the integrity of the gathering and put the government’s plans for major projects at risk.

The Manitoba Metis Federation says the Metis Nation of Ontario has no basis for existing and does not represent Metis -- a point of view shared by some Metis and First Nations that the MNO has pushed back against.

The Metis Nation British Columbia said it wouldn’t be attending the meeting because it was only invited as an online observer.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty said the meeting was a first step and that more conversations with Metis leaders will happen in the future.

“This government has the responsibility to speak with everybody,” said Gull-Masty.

“There’s a lot of tools being put in place.”

Carney was joined in the meeting by a handful of his ministers, including Gull-Masty, Alty, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Northern Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand.

After Carney made brief remarks to attendees, media were escorted out of the room before Metis leaders issued their opening statements.

“We are a strong and successful partner and are here to work with you,” Froh told the meeting, according to a written copy of her opening remarks shared with The Canadian Press.

“Metis communities in Ontario will continue to fight for Canada, while also protecting the lands and waters our communities rely on for their continued survival as distinct Indigenous communities.”

“To make (major projects) happen, we need a seat at the table -- not after decisions are made but from the very beginning, as partners,” Sandmaier said in prepared remarks.

“That includes clear, respectful consultation with both the federal government and with the province of Alberta.”

In a media statement, Metis Nation-Saskatchewan president Glen McCallum said he told Carney that Metis rights are non-negotiable.

“Our Nation will always support projects that deliver economic growth -- so long as they are developed responsibly and in close partnership with our citizens,” he said in the statement.

“While the lack of consultation surrounding the tabling and passage of this legislation remains a concern, today’s summit gives me cautious optimism that Canada will meaningfully come to the table to engage with us as the sole representative of the Metis Nation within Saskatchewan.”

Gull-Masty said after the summit wrapped that she appreciated meeting with First Nations, Inuit and Metis leaders to talk about the government’s agenda.

“Every summit gave the opportunity for (leaders) to feed into what we’re doing, how we are designing the mandate, the scope, the next steps of selecting those people that will sit at the Indigenous Advisory Council,” she said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 7, 2025.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press