APPEAL POLICY

An Appeals Committee is available to ensure fair and equitable access to assistance provided by programs to individuals and organizations whose applications have been refused by the Métis Nation British Columbia or a delivery agent. This MNBC Appeals Committee addresses the concerns of individuals or organizations dissatisfied with the decision to refuse funding. A third party will review the decision and determine the justification of the refusal.

APPEALS COMMITTEE

The Métis Nation British Columbia has established an Appeal Process for individuals who wish to challenge the MNBC’s decision to decline their application for funding. The Appeal Process applies to individuals who have established grounds for appeal, which shall include, but are not limited to; substance, or access to services, access to service delivery, access to benefits, or fulfilment of benefits. Appeals may not be made on the grounds of insufficient funding being available. All decisions rendered by an Appeals Committee are final and binding on all parties. The Appeal Process is standard and consistent throughout all seven (7) Regions of the MNBC.

APPEAL PROCEDURES

• Appeals are to be in writing and addressed to “The Appeals Committee”, c/o the MHRDA Provincial Manager, and must be mailed or hand-delivered to the MNBC Head Office within thirty (30) days of the notification that assistance has been declined.
• Lack of funding is not a reason for appeal. In the case where an appeal is submitted based on these criteria, the appellant will receive a letter from the MHRDA Program Coordinator explaining that it is not a valid appeal. In these circumstances, an Appeals Committee will not be identified.
• All letters of appeal will be affixed a file number and the appellant will be sent a letter of receipt with a file number attached.
• An Appeals Committee will be identified within ten (10) days of receipt of an appeal.
• The Appeals Committee will conduct a hearing within thirty (30) days of the formation of said committee.
• The Appeals Committee will review the application involved and the rationale for the denial of funding.
• The Appeals Committee may interview the appellant and/or the RETC Chairperson and/or the MHRDA Program Coordinator.
• The decision-making process of the Appeals Committee will be by a secret vote and results will be tallied by the recording person. A simple majority will rule. Ballots will be destroyed.
• All appeals shall remain confidential, meeting notes/packages shall be kept by the MHRDA Provincial Manager, a summary of the meeting will be prepared by the recording secretary, and will be signed by the Appeals Committee and kept on confidential file.
• The MHRDA Provincial Manager will document the results of each appeal, and will dispatch this correspondence to the relevant MHRDA Program Coordinator and RETC, as well as to the appellant, within seven (7) working days of the decision being made.