---
canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/research/a-review-of-the-potential-impacts-of-the-metis-human-resources-development-agreements-in-canada/"
title: "A Review of the Potential Impacts of the Métis Human Resources Development Agreements in Canada"
author:
  name: "CSLS"
  url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/"
date_published: "2026-07-02T13:37:32+00:00"
date_modified: "2026-07-02T13:37:32+00:00"
post_type: "research"
summary: ""
post_tag:
  - "Canada"
  - "employment"
  - "fiscal impact"
  - "human resources development agreements"
  - "Indigenous"
  - "Métis"
  - "MHRDA"
  - "training"
country_focus:
  - "Canada"
province_region:
  - "National"
research_theme:
  - "Fiscal Policy"
  - "Indigenous Economic Development"
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status: "publish"
---

# A Review of the Potential Impacts of the Métis Human Resources Development Agreements in Canada

Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/research/a-review-of-the-potential-impacts-of-the-metis-human-resources-development-agreements-in-canada/

# A Review of the Potential Impacts of the Métis Human Resources Development Agreements in Canada

[Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2009-01.pdf)

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Cite this report as:

Arsenault, Jean-François, and Andrew Sharpe. 2009. “A Review of the Potential Impacts of the Métis Human Resources Development Agreements in Canada.” CSLS Research Report 2009-01. Ottawa: Centre for the Study of Living Standards. https://csls.ca/research/a-review-of-the-potential-impacts-of-the-metis-human-resources-development-agreements-in-canada/

## Authors:

-
Jean-François Arsenault
Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS)

-
Andrew Sharpe
Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS)

## Report 2009-01

May 2009 80 pages

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## Abstract

## Résumé

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Since 1999, thousands of Métis have received training and found employment through Métis Human Resources Development Agreements (MHRDAs). We estimate MHRDA activities’ annual fiscal impact, which includes include higher tax revenue, lower government transfers, mostly in the form of EI and social assistance, and lower health expenditures. Based on results from the 2007-2008 fiscal year, we estimate the annual fiscal impact of one year or activity to be between $4.2 and $47.9 million, with a higher probability associated to the lower-bound estimate than the upper-bound estimate. On a long-term basis, the discounted fiscal benefits outweigh program costs (about $49 million for one year of activity) in all cases but the one based on a the lower-bound estimate and highest discount rate. Our middle-bound estimate suggests annual fiscal benefits of $8.5 million, with long-term benefits reaching $103 million. Given that benefits from Métis training and employment encompass more than what is captured in this analysis, the return from the MHRDA for Canadian society appears to be well worth the investment.

Depuis 1999, des milliers de Métis ont reçu une formation et trouvé un emploi grâce aux Ententes de développement des ressources humaines métisses (EDRHM). Nous estimons l’incidence budgétaire annuelle des activités des EDRHM, laquelle comprend une hausse des revenus fiscaux, une diminution des transferts gouvernementaux (principalement sous forme de prestations d’assurance-emploi et d’aide sociale) et une diminution des dépenses de santé. À partir des résultats de l’exercice 2007-2008, nous estimons l’incidence budgétaire annuelle d’une année d’activité entre 4,2 et 47,9 millions de dollars, l’estimation inférieure étant plus probable que l’estimation supérieure. À long terme, les avantages budgétaires actualisés dépassent les coûts du programme (environ 49 millions de dollars pour une année d’activité) dans tous les cas, sauf celui fondé sur l’estimation inférieure combinée au taux d’actualisation le plus élevé. Notre estimation médiane indique des avantages budgétaires annuels de 8,5 millions de dollars, les avantages à long terme atteignant 103 millions de dollars. Étant donné que les avantages de la formation et de l’emploi des Métis dépassent largement ce qui est saisi dans cette analyse, le rendement des EDRHM pour la société canadienne semble amplement justifier l’investissement.

[Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2009-01.pdf)
