A Canadian registry for people of Métis descent could still be a few years away.
The issue of Métis identity was discussed Tuesday morning in Ottawa by the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.
Diane Robinson, of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, says five Métis organizations have approached the department about getting started on a registry.
She says progress is being made although the groups are all at different levels in terms of this progress
Recommendations have been made to set common standards for the registries which could then be evaluated by third parties.
Robinson says Aboriginal Affairs would not have access to names on the registries but the department still wants to ensure the system has integrity when Métis registry cards are used.
In the meantime, when asked why the Métis population appears to be skyrocketing, Aboriginal Affairs director general Christopher Duchene told the committee it is likely because more people are choosing to define themselves as Métis.
Duchene cited legal decisions and increased media scrutiny as some of the potential factors causing this increase.