(Vancouver, BC) – BC Métis Federation is issuing another statement today regarding one of the latest situations regarding Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) and the financial administration of their programs and services. MNBC continues to administer the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) on behalf of the Métis people in British Columbia despite years of concerns brought forward through evidence to the Federal Government and this department of Service Canada.
This past week community member Don Krilow reached out to seek assistance on behalf of his son Paul Krilow, who was approved for funding. Paul Krilow, who suffers from social anxiety disorder, was counting on applying for student loans and getting the federal dependant disability amount as Mr. Krilow senior is disabled.
According to Mr. Krilow, Métis training “dropped the ball” and did not do the required tasks on time so his son’s courses were all cancelled. In addition, Mr. Krilow stated that “our youth seem to matter little to the people in power now. Mr. Dumont would not even return my call.”
Mr. Krilow added, “If youth are going to be hurt by what I can only see as incompetence then this funding program should be investigated and corrective measures implemented immediately. Saying someone was sick or there was an emergency is not good enough. It is then the manager’s responsibility to make sure that all deadlines are met and contract obligations are adhered to. This was not done and now my son suffers.”
The result is that Mr. Krilow has filed an official complaint with his MP, MLA and filing a Discrimination complaint.
BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry stated; “This situation is not new. As Mr. Krilow has indicated, this has happened to more than one person and MNBC staff admits their error. It is predictable and remains fact that MNBC is allowed to carry on such clear mismanagement each year makes the Federal officials who oversee these agreements just as responsible. Our past and current accurate information and assessment about the negative consequences of the insolvency of MNBC hurts these programs each day but remains allowed despite the stress and public embarrassment to families. This is a shameful consequence to our Métis families in BC.”
BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry further added; “Our human rights case has been built, in part, through these examples of outright MNBC mismanagement. This is yet another sorry situation and MNBC once again dismisses their responsibility to explain themselves to their clients. I am tired of MNBC people who pretend all is okay and this situation is unjust. How do these people explain to families such as the Krilow’s that this is okay?”
BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry concluded; “This family has many challenges and I am angry when I see Métis families treated with such incompetence and cold hearted lack of compassion. This demonstrates that MNBC does not put the needs of people in our communities first. They are not leaders and do not take steps to own up to their mistakes and look for solutions. We are going to fight each day to correct the MNBC and the Federal Government wrong doings for enabling and allowing this situations to carry on regardless of consequences to Métis families in need. Today Métis in BC are being subjected to unnecessary embarrassment and we know the large majority of Métis do not support MNBC or the Federal Government and Provincial Governments for protecting such dysfunction. It is time for all of us to be strong and demand that something is done before the Krilow family and many more like them depend on us. In a time of global reconciliation Métis deserve and need leaders who demonstrate respect and compassion in all relationships. This is the essence of being Métis and translates into good policy.”
For more information about the BC Métis Federation go to www.bcmetis.com.
Media Inquiries:
Keith Henry, President Métis Economic Development Corporation #300-3665 Kingsway Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2 Office 1-604-638-7220 Email k.henry@bcmetis.comYou can follow Métis Economic Development Corporation President Keith Henry on twitter@keithhenrymetis
You can follow BC Métis Federation on twitter @BCMétis
[ilink url=”http://bcmetis.com/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Press-Release-September-16th-2015-MNBC-Dysfuntion-Impacts-Metis-Family-Again.pdf” style=”download”]Click here to download this Press Release as a PDF[/ilink]
[ilink url=”http://bcmetis.com/wp-content/uploads/Krilow-DON-MNBC-Screw-Up-with-Training-Funding..pdf” style=”download”]Click here to download the Letter from Don Krilow[/ilink]
