A groundbreaking independent report has quantified the powerful economic ripple effect of federal investments in Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S), revealing a remarkable return that benefits the entire province.
Every Dollar Invested Generates Two in Economic Activity
The socio-economic impact assessment, the first of its kind since 2017, was conducted by the national accounting firm MNP and presented at the MN-S legislative assembly in Saskatoon in November. Its core finding is striking: for every single dollar the federal government invests in MN-S, it generates $2 in total economic output across Saskatchewan.
Matthew Vermette, Chief Operating Officer of MN-S, emphasized the significance of this multiplier effect. "When the federal government invests in MN-S, it’s not just dollar for dollar," Vermette stated. "The analysis reinforces that these investments are contributing to real economic growth and social outcomes that benefit everyone in Saskatchewan."
Hundreds of Millions in Economic Impact and Thousands of Jobs
The report, titled MN-S invests in Métis citizens, provincial economy benefits twofold, analyzed seven years of program data, financial records, and citizen experiences from 2017 onward. It found that $486 million in spending over that period catalyzed an impressive $740 million in wider economic activity.
This financial influx directly supported 15,178 jobs and created an estimated $26.5 million in tax revenue for the province. A significant driver of this growth was MN-S's housing initiatives, which completed 818 urgent home repairs and supported 729 first-time homebuyers. These housing programs alone spurred $20.6 million in local consumer spending and created 197 jobs.
Closing Gaps in Health, Education, and Employment
Beyond the raw economic numbers, the report highlights how strategic investments are addressing long-standing disparities for Métis citizens while building institutional capacity. Key program impacts include:
- Health programs that assisted roughly 14,000 citizens through medical travel and related supports.
- Early learning and cultural initiatives that reached more than 10,000 Métis children.
- A dramatic expansion of MN-S's own public service, which grew from 164 employees in 2022 to 374 in 2025. This workforce is largely Indigenous and women-led, creating career opportunities and making the organization more reflective of the citizens it serves.
Vermette connected these programs to the difficult realities faced by many citizens, noting that "many of our citizens are making tough decisions between things like buying groceries or prescriptions." The report underscores that investments in MN-S are not only sound economic policy but also critical to improving social welfare and closing gaps in health, housing, and education.
The assessment provides concrete evidence that empowering Indigenous institutions like Métis Nation-Saskatchewan creates a powerful economic engine, turning federal dollars into doubled value for the broader Saskatchewan economy and its people.
