Scrip was issued instead of establishing Métis lands in Manitoba. What did this imply from the government's perspective?

• A. The government thought Métis already owned sufficient land in Manitoba.
• B. The government believed Métis did not have the same rights to land as First Nations and did not require reserves.
• C. The government aimed to create permanent reserves for Métis across Western Canada.
• D. The government wanted Métis to surrender all rights to land in Canada.

Answer: (B)

When scrip was issued instead of granting Métis lands, it shows how the government viewed Métis land rights: they were not treated as having the same, guaranteed land protections as First Nations. Scrip provided a certificate that could be exchanged for land or money, but it didn’t create permanent reserves for Métis within Manitoba or elsewhere. This reflects a policy of assimilating Métis and reducing their secure land base, rather than recognizing them as deserving of reserve land like First Nations. In short, the government viewed Métis as not having the same land-rights as First Nations and did not intend to set aside reserves for them.