Mtis cards should be acceptable forms of ID at Liquor Marts, Manitobans say

A Winnipeg woman iscalling out Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries because she isn't able to use an ID card issued by the Manitoba Mtis Federation as a valid form of identification.

Holly Plouffe says she went to a Liquor Mart in Winnipeg in December to buy a bottle of wine as a secret Santa gift. When she pulled out her Mtis card from her wallet, she was told it wasn't a valid form of ID.

Plouffe has a driver's licence and other forms of ID, but she says the practice of denying the cardwhich includes a photo, her name, age, sex and theManitoba Mtis Federation (MMF) logo is unfair.

"This my identification. This is how I identify. It's a form of ID. It's just as simple as that.I'm proud to beMtis," she told CBC News on Tuesday.

MMFpresident David Chartrandsays he recently tried to use his card at a Winnipeg liquor store, and was also told he couldn't use it.

"They basically said, 'We don't recognizeMtiscards, we only recognize First Nations cards,' so I took kind of offence to that," he said in an interview on Tuesday.

Chartrand says the MMF is recognized as a self-government through an agreement with the government of Canada, and its citizenship cards have a number of security features.

The cards are alsorecognized by Elections Canadaand Elections Manitobaat polls.

Manitoba Liquor &Lotteries says Liquor Martsaccept driver's licences, enhanced driver's licences, Manitoba identification or enhanced identification cards, secure certificates of Indian status and passports.

Alternatively,two forms of government-issued ID can also be shown at Liquor Martsone of which must be photo ID including certificates of Indian status, certificates of Canadian citizenship, permanent residence cards, Canadian firearms licences, Canadian Forces identification card and Nexus cards.

Lisa Hansen with the Manitoba Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba, said in an email to CBCNews that ManitobaMtis Federationcitizen cardsdo not currently fall into the category of government-issued ID, and are thereforenot an accepted form of identification under the regulations.

WATCH | Mtis card not accepted at Manitoba Liquor Marts:

Mtis card legal form of ID but not accepted at Manitoba Liquor Marts

2 years ago

Duration 2:00

A Winnipeg woman is calling out Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries because she isn't able to use an ID card issued by the Manitoba Mtis Federation as a valid form of identification.

That is exclusionary to the roughly 47,000 registered Mtiscitizens in Manitoba, Chartrand said, especially those who don't have other forms of ID.

"A lot of elders don't have a driver's licence, so how would they come into a store somewhere and show their ID? Or to a bank if they don't have no picture ID?" he said.

"The system is way behind, and too far behind, if you ask me."

The Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries said the provincial regulator Manitoba Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba decides which forms of ID are acceptable at Liquor Marts and cannabis shops.

"Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries recognizes the importance of allowing the Manitoba Mtis Federation citizenship card to be used as an acceptable form of identification when purchasing beverage alcohol," aspokesperson said in a statement Tuesday.

"As such, [MLLC] is working to advance the efforts of having the MMF card be categorized as an accepted form of identification."

Plouffereceived a similar message when shefollowed up with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries after her experience last month. She was told by an investigator in an email that the Crown corporation is working with the provincial regulator to help advance the efforts of having the Manitoba Mtis Federationcardrecognized, and has started discussions with the MMF about itas well.

Plouffe is pleased with the response she received but wonders why Mtiscitizenship cards aren't already recognized, especially in the province where Mtis history is so prominent.

"It should have been first considered, considering the history that's gone on in Manitoba,all the way to Louis Riel. We get Louis Riel Day. There's a reason for that. It's a symbol of acceptance as well," she said.

Plouffe hopes the next time she goes into a Liquor Mart, her card will be accepted.

"I hope that it isn't justdiscussed at a corporate meeting and then nothing's done."