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Summary
The Presidents of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) and Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) are demanding Métis National Council (MNC) leadership call a Board of Governors meeting to ensure future MNC decisions are made on behalf of all Métis citizens.
A Board of Governors meeting has not been called in nearly two years meaning the democratic rules for how the Council should operate have not been followed. Manitoba Métis Federation President, David Chartrand has been acting as MNC President since MNC President, Clem Chartier's November 6th, 2019 announcement that he was withdrawing from an active role in national leadership, in spite of the fact Mr. Chartrand has not been properly appointed as interim President per the process set out in the policies of the MNC.
In a recent media article, Mr. Chartrand admitted that he has not called a Board of Governors meeting because he is worried a vote by the governing members would result in him losing control of the national council. The three governments have made numerous calls for leadership of MNC to call a formal Board of Governors meeting to discuss the serious issues impacting the Métis people and have been concerned that Mr. Chartrand is merely trying to hold on to his illegitimate power at the expense of the best interests of Métis citizens across the country; now he has admitted it.
"We are alarmed, but not surprised, at Mr. Chartrand's admission in the media that a general assembly meeting has not been convened for nearly two years because he and the National President feel they have lost support." Said Glen McCallum, President of MN-S.
MNO President Margaret Froh said that, "like any organization, rules are put in place to frame the way we engage with each other to ensure good governance. Mr. Chartrand is usurping these rules and that is deeply concerning and unacceptable to us." "This serves to further highlight the concerns we have been raising about accountability, transparency and open leadership within the MNC," said MNA President Audrey Poitras.
The three presidents have previously expressed concerns around Mr. Chartrand and Mr. Chartier's leadership and the direction of the MNC; numerous citizens of the Métis Nation vocalized these concerns at an MNC conference in Saskatoon on March 9-10.
In a recent press release, the MNC asked for a leadership meeting as soon as possible to discuss unity between the governments but continues to refuse to call a formal, sanctioned Board of Governors meeting to ensure the democratic process of the MNC is followed.
The MNO, MNA, MN-S are committed to progress, and have recently signed Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements with the Government of Canada that demonstrates that commitment to progress and advancing their inherent right to self-determination.