Canada. Consultative Group on Métis and Non-Status Indians : In June 1976, Cabinet created a Joint Committee, including Cabinet Ministers and the NativCouncil of Canada, to discuss funding for claims research for Metis and Non-status Indians. At the second meeting, it was decided to add to the claims mandate, to examine socio-economic development programs within the jurisdiction of provincial governments. The Prime Minister agreed in October 1978 to establish a small group of federal officials to work with Metis and Non-Status Indian (MNSI) associations and consult with the provincial governments on socio-economic development issues. The Consultative Group was composed of a Chairperson, Mr. Love, the Deputy Minister of Department of Regional Economic Expansion (DREE), and members comprising senior officers of DREE, Canada Employment and Immigration Commission (CEIC), Secretary of State (SOS), Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND), and Privy Council Office (PCO). With a change in government late in 1979, the Consultative Group became the responsibility of the Ministry of State for Social Development (MSSD), where it was chaired by the Deputy Minister of MSSD.
The Consultative Group, through consultation with MNSI associations and officials from provincial ministries and program areas, attempted to assess the current programs available to MNSI. In order to do this, it was necessary to compile information on the target population, the social and economic circumstances of MNSI, current economic development opportunities, then assess the employment opportunities and urban adjustment problems and research the consultative mechanisms with the provincial governments and welfare associations. With this background information the Consultative Group could report on the exact cost and effectiveness of current programs, and recommend any required reorientation of the programs and alternative responses to native economic initiatives.
Four reports were issued by the Consultative Group on MNSI between February 1979 and the deadline for its final report of September 30, 1980.
