left to right: Senator Reta Gordon; Secretary-Treasurer Tim Pile; President Gary Lipinski; Chair France Picotte and Vice-Chair Sharon McBride.

TORONTO --- In a bold and difficult decision, the newly elected Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO), yesterday unanimously endorsed delaying the Métis Nation of Ontario Annual General Assembly (MNO AGA) until the Fall of 2008.

The decision was made at the first meeting of the newly elected PCMNO, held via conference call, based on several important factors and developments. The most important of which was the desire of the new leadership of the MNO to increase the participation of the MNO’s Community Councils and all segments of the Métis Nation within the MNO’s overall governance structure and decision-making processes.

“In my acceptance speech, I committed that the new leadership of the MNO was going to make it a priority to increase support to and empower the MNO Chartered Community Councils. Based on this priority, since being elected, we have pursued discussions with governments to support bringing together our Community Councils, Senators, Veterans, Women’s Council and Youth to discuss important issues such as developing a MNO strategic plan, Ontario’s new Relationship Fund, and, the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate,” said Gary Lipinski, MNO President.

Lipinski added, “Our discussions with government have been successful, however, it is simply not possible to adequately prepare for such an important meeting and ensure funding is in place by July. As such, it made logistical and fiscal sense to consolidate this meeting with the MNO AGA and holding them both in the Fall of 2008.”

France Picotte, MNO Chair, stated, “Postponing the MNO AGA to the Fall will also give the new leadership of the MNO the opportunity to begin to put into place its new agenda and better prepare for an effective and productive MNO AGA. The newly elected PCMNO will only be having its first face-to-face meeting at the end of May. We have a new senior management team in place. We are just starting to meet with Ministers from both levels of governments. Simply put, the MNO’s new team needs more than 60 days to prepare for the MNO AGA.”

Tim Pile, MNO Secretary-Treasurer added, “This decision is also fiscally prudent for the MNO. Historically, we have never received funding payments from government by July of each year, which creates severe cash flow challenges for the MNO in holding such a significant event in the summer, without first having received actual payments from funders.”

“Further, at all previous MNO AGA’s, we have never been able to present audited financial statements to Métis citizens for the previous fiscal year because our annual audits cannot be completed by July because of the MNO’s extensive size of operations. With the MNO’s new leadership being committed to fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability, we want to be in a position to present a clear picture of the MNO’s finances at the end of the 2007/08 fiscal year to our citizens at the next MNO AGA,” concluded Pile.

Sharon McBride, MNO Vice-Chair stated, “I fully endorse this decision and I am extremely encouraged that this decision will result in increasing the participation of Métis Women, Métis Youth, Senators and Veterans in the Métis Nation’s governance structures. I believe we build a strong Métis Nation by building an inclusive Métis Nation.”

President Lipinski added, “I want MNO citizens to know, your new leadership did not make this decision lightly. We recognize that the MNO AGA in July is an important tradition and cultural event for MNO citizens, with many planning their summer vacations around this gathering. However, in considering the logistical, administrative and fiscal challenges holding the MNO AGA in July would create this year, we believe this new direction for this year is the right decision for the Métis Nation. Further, as a part of the transparent, frank and two-way dialogue I want to continue to reassure MNO citizens that we will consult with them over the next year on how they would like to proceed with respect to future MNO AGAs.”

Lipinski concluded, “The MNO’s new leadership is committed to a ‘new way of doing business’ in the MNO: increased community participation, improved financial management and accountability, and, fiscal prudence and responsibility are essential in building a stronger MNO.”

A copy of the PCMNO motion passed by consensus is attached.

For background or interviews contact:
Katelin Peltier / Manager of Communications
Tel: 613-798-1488 ext. 108
Cell: 613-859-7130
E: katelinp@metisnation.org