Aboriginal Affairs Directorate, mailstop 114
140 Promenade du Portage, Phase IV
Gatineau, QC K1A 0J9
Re: Renewal of the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy
To Whom It May Concern;
The BC Métis Federation is submitting a response to the Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategy (ASETS) which is a contribution program designed to help increase Indigenous participation in the labour market, ensuring that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are engaged in sustainable, meaningful employment. ASETS provides funding to Indigenous organizations to support the costs of labour market programs, services and other activities undertaken by these organizations.
To guide this response BC Métis Federation completed an online survey sent directly to our members through direct email database (approximately 2000 members) as well as a public email sent to over 600 email subscribers. The response to our survey was strong and the results attached both in terms of a summary and submission of the raw data which includes more specific written feedback and perspectives from our members.
BC Métis Federation was incorporated in June of 2011 to support Métis rights and socio-economic interests of our members and partners. Today BC Métis Federation has over 2000 members from throughout British Columbia (map attached) and work with Métis community partner organizations who represent an additional 5000 members.
The current delivery mechanism for Métis employment and training through the ASETS program in British Columbia has been politically motivated in terms of funding and support in our view. In fact, despite significant number of members requiring employment and training needs, we are not aware if there has been even one (1) BC Métis Federation member with direct support from the main ASETS delivery agency for Métis in BC.
This is a major issue as the BC Métis Federation continues to work with industry and private sector partners to secure commitments for jobs, procurement opportunities and to address the well being of our members.
The results of the survey only reinforce the importance of BC Métis Federation being involved in the delivery and design of this important program. ASETS is needed to continue and this is extremely important for the higher unemployment of our members (estimated over 15%). Moreover there needs to be significant changes into the Métis public accountability for these public funds. The program must ensure all Métis in BC are supported and not just people politically aligned with specific Métis organizations.
We look forward to building a new relationship with the Government of Canada through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in the evolution of the ASETS program to ensure full inclusion, access, and greater Métis accountability of these public funds.
BC Métis Federation must be an equal partner in the delivery and design of future ASETS programs. Our members require support to ensure we create opportunities for their families and communities.
Thank you.
Keith Henry
President
[ilink url=”https://bcmetis.com/wp-content/uploads/BC-Metis-Federation-Letter-re-ASETS-Renewal-November-3rd-2016.pdf” style=”download”]Click here to download this letter in PDF format.[/ilink]
[ilink url=”https://bcmetis.com/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Map-December-2015.jpe” style=”download”]Click here to download the BC Métis Federation Membership Map [/ilink]
[ilink url=”https://bcmetis.com/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Results-Detailed-Summary-2016-Employment-and-Training-Survey-November-2nd-2016.pdf” style=”download”]Click here to download the BC Métis Federation ASETS Survey Summary[/ilink]
[ilink url=”https://bcmetis.com/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-2016-Report_All-Data-November-2nd-2016.xlsx” style=”download”]Click here to download BC Métis Federation ASETS Survey Summary Raw Data in Excel format[/ilink]
