OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to meet today with three provincial Métis groups to discuss significant legislation concerning major projects. This legislation enables the cabinet to expedite federal approvals for large industrial projects that are considered to be in the national interest, bypassing certain environmental protections and other regulations.

The meeting will include representatives from the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, and the Métis Nation of Ontario. However, the Manitoba Métis Federation, which represents the Red River Métis, has declined the invitation to participate. The federation expressed concerns that including the Métis Nation of Ontario compromises the integrity of the meeting and jeopardizes the government's plans for major projects. They assert that the Métis Nation of Ontario lacks legitimacy and does not represent the Métis community.

Carney will be accompanied by several ministers during the meeting, including Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc. Additionally, the Métis Nation British Columbia announced it would not attend the meeting, citing a desire for full participation. They were only invited to join as online observers.