Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin of the Supreme Court of Canada says an Alberta law which abolishes Metis Settlement membership for people who also hold Indian status does not violate the Charter of Rights. A group of Alberta Metis who registered as status Indians to gain health benefits, the court ruled against them in a 9-0 decision. She said that the law creates a supportive programme for the Metis.

According to Metis settlement act there is a provision status that Indians cannot also be a members of a Metis Settlement, the province then revoked their formal membership in the Metis Community of Peavine. According to the act there is violation of their rights, they sued, and won at the provincial Court of Appeal.

Henceforth, the Supreme Court upturned that decision, saying that the settlement is actually shield by Charter of Rights. She said that there is no discrimination in this settlement act.

Metis consist of Mixed Indian and European decent and in western Canada they are in population of about 400,000.

Supreme Court of Canada says Metis settlements is constitutional

Report by: – Vibhanshu Vaibhav