Robert Doucette pictured in 2010. Photo courtesy Metis Nation – Saskatchewan, Facebook.
A Court of Queen’s Bench decision rules against the president of the Metis Nation – Saskatchewan.
The court ruled Robert Doucette did not prove other members of the Provincial Metis Council (PMC), including vice president Gerald Morin, ignored a court order to call a Metis Legislative Assembly (MLA).
Doucette says he’s calling a news conference on Wednesday to respond to the decision.
“I’m actually sending out an email to the other PMC members saying I read the ruling,” he said. “We need to call a PMC meeting, set a date and place for an MLA and that’s the bottom line.
In his ruling Justice Brian Scherman wrote, “It has come to this, Metis battling Metis, each in the name and for the purported good of Metis Nation – Saskatchewan. Today’s Metis battles do not pit muskets, Sharp and Winchester rifles against government troops, military carbines and Gatling guns. Instead, the field of battle consists of partisan politicking and strategic posturing reinforced with court proceedings, Metis against Metis.”
Scherman goes on to say this may appear civilized to some but the veneer of civility is thin.
Late on Tuesday, Morin issued a news release responding to the ruling.
“The real issue in all this costly litigation has been the contempt that Robert Doucette has for the democratic values and traditions of the Métis Nation in Saskatchewan. As the judge noted, the MN-S Constitution and its democratic processes and ideals have been subverted for years,” Morin stated in the release.