How to Apply

Upon return from WWII, our Métis Veterans did not receive the same supports, resources, or benefits that were originally promised to them, which were routinely given to non-Métis Veterans. Many of them were discriminated against by Veterans Affairs Canada and denied an economic foundation to rebuild their lives upon return home.

How much is a Recognition Payment

A one-time payment of $20,000 will be presented to each living Second World War (WWII) Métis Nation Veteran. If the Veteran has passed, the Recognition Payment will be presented to their spouse or common-law partner. If both the Veteran and spouse/common-law partner have passed, the Recognition Payment will be evenly distributed amongst the Veteran’s living children.

Recognition Payment Eligibility

WWII Métis Nation Veterans
A Veteran is required to provide evidence of their Second World War (WWII) service and proof they are of legitimate Métis ancestry. A Métis Nation Veteran qualifies if he/she served in the Canadian Armed Forces (or any allied Force of Canada) in any capacity during the Second World War, specifically, the period between September 1, 1939, and April 1, 1947. The Recognition Payment will be presented as soon as possible after verification that these criteria have been met.

Spouse or Common-Law Partner
A Métis Nation Veteran’s surviving spouse or common-law partner qualifies to receive the Recognition Payment if they:
provide evidence of their union to a qualified WWII Métis Nation Veteran (marriage certificate, proof of common-law relationship)
provide evidence of the Métis Nation Veteran’s WWII service
provide evidence of the Métis Nation Veteran’s Métis ancestry
provide evidence of the Métis Nation Veteran’s death
provide evidence of living together at the time of the Métis Nation Veteran’s death.

III. Children
Children may qualify for all or part of a Recognition Payment if they:
provide evidence of their connection to a qualified Second World War (WWII) Métis Nation Veteran (long-form birth certificate)
provide evidence of the Métis Nation Veteran’s WWII service
provide evidence of the Métis Nation Veteran’s Métis ancestry
provide evidence of the Métis Nation Veteran’s death on or after January 1, 2016
provide evidence of the death of the Veteran’s spouse or common-law partner
verification of all children of the WWII Métis Nation Veteran.

NOTE: A child is defined as someone either biologically, legally, or traditionally adopted by a WWII Métis Nation Veteran.

Why do Children only qualify if the Veteran has passed after January 1, 2016

The premise on which the Métis Veterans Legacy Program (MVLP) was negotiated was to provide a permanent legacy and honour for WWII Métis Nation Veterans. The mandate of the MVLP Commemoration Program achieves this priority.
In addition, agreements of this nature traditionally come into effect once the agreement has been signed. Our agreement was signed on June 13, 2019, which would have meant that no one would have been eligible before that date.
It was essential that consideration be given to the families of WWII Métis Nation Veterans that had passed during the negotiation period with Canada. After consultation with community members and family members of WWII Métis Nation Veterans, Recognition Payments are presented to surviving spouses and common-law partners regardless of when their loved one passed.
Should the spouse or common-law partner have passed, the surviving children of WWII Métis Nation Veterans that we have lost after January 1, 2016, are entitled to receive equal portions of the Recognition Payment. Providing the opportunity for children’s eligibility more than three years before the agreement was signed, ensures that the legacy being left behind would still benefit the family.

Many of our Second World War (WWII) Métis Nation Veterans have passed, and very few are still living. Time is of the essence to identify those living and present them with their Recognition Payment as soon as possible. Distributing Recognition Payments have begun, and already thirty (30) of our WWII Métis Nation Veterans have received their payments to date. We continue to identify and contact WWII Métis Nation Veterans and their families across the nation.

If you know a WWII Métis Veteran that may be eligible for compensation through the Recognition Payment program, please reach out to us or refer them to veteran.info@metisveterans.ca

If you are a WWII Métis Veteran or a Surviving Spouse or Common-law Partner, you may be eligible for the Métis Veterans Legacy Program (MVLP) Recognition Payment. If you are a Surviving Child of a WWII Métis Veteran who died on or after January 1, 2016, you may also be eligible.

To apply please fill out the Métis Veterans Legacy Program Intake Form.

Send your completed form by email or mail to the following address:

To:
Métis Veterans Legacy Program Recognition Payment Administrator

c/o Manitoba Métis Federation
MVLP, 3rd floor
150 Henry Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3B 0J7
Email: veteran.info@metisveterans.ca

If you require assistance in completing the Intake Form, you can contact the MVLP at:
1-800-532-1993

Download Recognition Payment Intake PDF