By Alessia Passafiume THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA- The committee process for a testy piece of legislation that would recognize Metis governments in three provinces has been extended until at least February. House of Commons committee hearings about Bill C-53 have seen 65 witnesses testify and 274 briefs submitted that argue vigorously either for or against the legislation, which Metis leaders say would set the stage for treaties on internal matters such as child welfare. Some First Nations groups are also opposed to the bill, which would recognize Metis governments in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan, urging MPs to vote against it because they say it could erode their own rights. But it has support from the bodies that would be the direct beneficiaries of the bill and wider groups including the… <\/p>\n
By Alessia Passafiume THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA- The committee process for a testy piece of legislation that would recognize Metis governments in three provinces has been extended until at least February. House of Commons committee hearings about Bill C-53 have seen 65 witnesses testify and 274 briefs submitted that argue vigorously either for or against the legislation, which Metis leaders say would set the stage for treaties on internal matters such as child welfare. Some First Nations groups are also opposed to the bill, which would recognize Metis governments in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan, urging MPs to vote against it because they say it could erode their own rights. But it has support from the bodies that would be the direct beneficiaries of the bill and wider groups including the... <\/p>\n