[July 22, 2021 – OTTAWA] On July 20th, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), with the support of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation–Saskatchewan, and Métis Nation British Columbia, appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in its legal action against Clément Chartier.
While its decision will be issued next week, the Court supported the MNO in its positions and advised all members of the Métis National Council (MNC) Board of Governors that he anticipated ruling that the Resolution in question passed by the MNC “did not suspend the MNO” from the MNC. With this ruling, it is clear that Mr. Chartier and the Manitoba Métis Federation have been wrong to insist otherwise, a position which they have used to justify running the MNC without the input or supervision of 4 of the 5 Governing Members of the MNC since May 2019. Once issued, this ruling will serve as a crucial first step in getting Governing Members back to the work of overseeing the MNC, and finally providing the MNO the opportunity to appear before the MNC Assembly and correct the untrue statements that Mr. Chartier and some others within the MNC have continued to make about our government.
As MNO has stated on many occasions, we will continue to stand up for our rights and interests as a MNC Governing Member and the rights and interests of MNO citizens. We look forward to continuing to work with our fellow governing members to serve the best interests of the entire Métis Nation, in keeping with our governing documents and the best of our democratic traditions.
We need to find a way forward to deal with these issues, and the MNO remains committed to this. Our citizens and our ancestors expect no less from us.