“There is currently no contract in force. But at some point we will be able to close deals,” he said in a recent interview with The Canadian Press.

“We will reach that point at some point. And if we can do that, it is clear that much deeper consultation will need to take place,” he added.

The minister’s comments come as Bill C-35, which would reaffirm the self-determination and self-government rights of Métis people in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan, is facing continued criticism from First Nations groups concerned that Métis groups are granted land and resource rights without these rights consult them first.

The Chiefs of Ontario, an organization that represents 133 First Nations in the province, traveled to Ottawa in mid-September to discuss their concerns with politicians.

The group says the bill would irreparably harm the inherent and treaty rights of First Nations and that Canada should have consulted them on the bill.

Mr. Anandasangaree said Bill C-35 was “essentially a framework.” It “doesn’t really recognize land rights. It does not recognize harvesting rights or other constitutional rights,” he said.

“And we look forward to hearing feedback from First Nations and all those affected,” he added.

The minister pointed out that the obligation to consult is not triggered by the bill itself, “because it is in fact a recognition of the governance structure that will emerge when a treaty comes into force.”

First Nations want to have a say

But Ontario leaders say that’s exactly one of their biggest concerns: that future treaties signed by Métis communities and Canada could include land rights that encroach on their territories.

The Assembly of First Nations, which represents more than 630 First Nations across Canada, also opposes the bill.

That organization unanimously passed a resolution at its annual general meeting in July to protect First Nations from what it describes as “unfounded Métis rights” through advocacy and meetings with the prime minister.

The resolution also called on Canada to end all negotiations with the Métis Nation of Ontario until First Nations have been meaningfully consulted.

The motion was introduced by Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod, who has been a vocal critic of the Métis Nation of Ontario and Bill C-53.

“(The bill) is problematic for us in many ways,” Mr. McLeod said in an interview.

“The government’s refusal to speak to First Nations about this issue is extremely disappointing. “This really suggests that Canada is going back to the good old days when it thought it knew better than the First Nations,” he explained.

Métis Nation of Ontario President Margaret Froh said that was not the case.

First Nations do not need to be consulted on Bill C-53 because it addresses internal issues facing Métis communities, she said.

Other Indigenous nations were not consulted on self-government agreements recently signed by First Nations with Canada, she stressed.

Ms. Froh still hopes there will be discussions with Canada about lands and resources in the future, but that any conversation or negotiation will include First Nations.

“It is my hope that we can restore these positive working relationships for the benefit of all Indigenous peoples in Ontario, both First Nations and Métis,” she said.