MMF eyes Brandon for expansion of its real estate holdings
Manitoba Métis Federation president David Chartrand pretends to fish in the Energy, Infrastructure and Resource Management Department tent during the Red River Métis National Assembly at its Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg on Sunday. (Photo by John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press)
The Manitoba Métis Federation is ramping up its Brandon presence and it’s eyeing buildings downtown. MMF President David Chartrand said the federation has placed a $2-million offer on two sites Assiniboine Credit Union owns.
It submitted an offer last week for a three-storey office and former branch, at 220 10th St., and 1020 Princess Ave., Chartrand said. Assiniboine Credit Union didn’t respond to an interview request by end of day Saturday.
“The design is somewhat off from what we would need, but our team has been working at it and looking at it,” Chartrand said. He’s envisioning two daycares and an MMF office for departments including Child and Family Services. The Métis population in the area is growing, Chartrand said, but they lack adequate childcare.
“Brandon is one of the regions we’re putting some emphasis towards now,” Chartrand said. The federation counts roughly 10,000 citizens in the southwest. Overall, it claims more than 64,000 citizens.
Chartrand and staff haven’t gotten a final answer from the credit union. They’re also looking elsewhere. Chartrand said, adding renovation costs of the downtown sites could be high. Westoba Credit Union once operated inside. It merged with Assiniboine Credit Union in 2024.
“Something’s coming for sure. Whether they’re in or not, I’m coming to Brandon,” Chartrand said. The MMF has an office in the city, but it needs replacement, Chartrand continued. He’s considering building new spaces.
Chartrand spoke to the Free Press at the MMF’s national assembly Saturday. Some 4,000 people had gathered at Assiniboine Downs, per federation count. Premier Wab Kinew and provincial ministers attended. The two governments announced a bilateral housing agreement that’ll see more than 70 affordable homes built over five years.
Each government will spend $9 million on the housing, meant for Métis elders and families in Manitoba, according to a news release dispersed late Saturday. “The future is going to be so optimistically bright for our people,” Chartrand said earlier. He said he’s focused on economic development and education.
The MMF backed away from purchasing the Fort Garry Hotel this year. However, leadership is still looking to buy or buy a Winnipeg locale that’ll be “very competitive in the market.” “We’ve already brought in some investors,” Chartrand said. “Ourselves alone will fill a hotel.”
He highlighted the throngs of Métis people gathered in west Winnipeg over the weekend. They create a large economic spinoff, he said. “Why not start two? Why not start three?” Chartrand said of hotels. “We’ve got to build on our economic strengths and our wealth.”
He’s spoken to Prime Minister Mark Carney about negotiating a settlement for an outstanding land claim, he said. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled the federal government had broken its promise to Métis people.
Chartrand expects negotiations of the settlement will take a couple of years and result in billions of dollars for the Métis, he said Saturday. Carney recorded an address for the national assembly.
“Canada’s strength comes from what we build and what we achieve together,” Carney said in the video, adding the federal government supports the MMF’s self-governing treaty.
The federation plans to launch an endowment fund for university students and create another four daycares, aside from the two in Brandon, bringing the MMF’s total to 16, Chartrand said.