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OTTAWA — The Manitoba Métis Federation says it’s appalled by the lack of Métis-specific funding in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new budget.
While First Nations and Inuit have targeted funding measures in the budget, Métis do not, despite having pressed the government for supports in areas like housing and health care.
The only mention of Métis in the budget, released Thursday, is in association with $806 million set aside over five years to implement a Trudeau-era Indigenous child welfare law.
Manitoba Métis Federation president David Chartrand says there is “no doubt” Red River Métis citizens will be angered by the fact that their needs were dismissed, despite the MMF holding meetings with the prime minister and ministers to outline their priorities ahead of the budget.
“The hugely successful distinctions-based approach has vanished, and government is reverting to phrases like ‘Indigenous’ when, in reality, they mean First Nations and Inuit,” Chartrand said.
“We are never looking for a handout — rather, we are looking for our tax dollars to be reinvested in the Red River Métis so we can put a shovel in our hands and continue addressing the critical needs of our Nation, and strengthen Canada.”
Victoria Pruden, president of the Métis National Council, said in a media statement Thursday that Métis governments are being treated as an afterthought rather than partners in Canada’s future.
The new federal budget commits $32 billion over 10 years to repair, replace and build First Nations infrastructure — though the Assembly of First Nations says the work will require more.
The budget is largely framed around building up the Canadian economy. The government says the First Nations infrastructure funding will make essential services more reliable and help communities retain skilled workers.
There is a deep infrastructure gap between First Nations communities and the rest of Canada. The Assembly of First Nations and the Conference Board of Canada estimate it would take about $375 billion to close it.
Many First Nations communities suffer from a lack of modern roads, schools and housing, poor internet connectivity and defective water treatment plants.
The federal budget earmarks $11 billion over 10 years to maintain, renovate and build First Nations homes, and $18.5 billion to build roads, bridges and schools. The budget also commits $5.8 billion over five years for First Nations elementary and secondary education.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has said the gap between First Nations and the rest of the country will only continue to grow without targeted investments.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2026.
Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
