The president of the Metis Nation – Saskatchewan is hailing a new court decision about its ongoing internal battle.
In a written ruling issued yesterday, Justice Brian Scherman ordered the MN-S to hold a legislative assembly no later than June 19.
This overturns a Provincial Metis Council decision made last January to hold the assembly in September in Yorkton.
In his ruling, Justice Scherman says the PMC acted in “bad faith” by delaying a legislative assembly for nine months – in particular because such a meeting has not been held in a few years.
Scherman says he can find no legitimate reasons why the MNS would wait until the fall to hold an assembly.
In January, a faction on the Provincial Metis Council led by Vice-President Gerald Morin voted in favour of waiting until September to hold a legislative assembly in Yorkton.
The MN-S constitution states two legislative assemblies per year should be held.
MN-S President Robert Doucette and certain members of the executive have been locked in an internal battle with Morin and members of the provincial council for more than two years.
The organization’s federal funding has been cut since last November for failure to hold a legislative assembly over the last few years.
Last week, the MN-S head office in Saskatoon closed its doors due to financial difficulties.
Doucette, who brought the court application forward arguing for an earlier assembly, says justice has been served and now it is time to move on.
“Let’s get all of our committees together. I’m willing to work on all of our committees, and I’m willing to work with them. And let’s get to that June 19 MNLA and let’s get our direction from our people.”
Doucette says he also hopes the PMC sets the legislative assembly in a more centralized location than Yorkton.
Justice Scherman’s ruling also says the PMC must have completed all organizational and preparatory matters to hold a legislative assembly no later than May 9.