Address climate change but help Indigenous workers: Métis National Council

Climate change requires urgent action, but governments must also retrain resource industry workers, says Métis National Council President Clement Chartier.

"We want to see climate change being addressed. We want to see innovation being brought in place," Chartier said.

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"But at the same time, if there is going to be displacement of our people in the work force, there's got to be mechanisms in place."

Chartier, as well as Chief Perry Bellegarde with the Assembly of First Nations, and Natan Obed, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President, is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, provincial premiers and possibly U.S. vice-president Joe Biden Friday in Ottawa.

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'It affects us all'

Chartier appreciates inclusion in the discussions. He said he's confident Indigenous people's long history of environmental stewardship will be valued in the policy decisions. Chartier said elders have told MNC leaders to act on climate change as it affects their traditional territory and livelihoods.

"I think it's important that everyone's engaged, not solely the federal and provincial governments but Indigenous people and governments as well. You know, it affects us all," Chartier said.

That said, thousands of Métis and First Nations people work on the Alberta oilsands and other resource projects. As Canada moves toward more renewable energy sources, those workers must be supported and retrained, Chartier said.

Friday in Ottawa, Indigenous leaders are due to meet Trudeau and the premiers in the morning, Chartier said.

After the groups meet separately in the afternoon, they'll all reconvene at the end of the day to further discuss clean energy and climate change.

Chartier said the federal government has consulted frequently with the MNC on the issue since March.