File photo.
Serious health concerns have forced a delay in the Saskatchewan Metis election, which is scheduled for next month.
The chief electoral officer was forced to resign because of health problems. Now, a replacement will have to be found, a new election date picked and then efforts can be made to restore funding.
Bare bones funding is in place to fund an election, as well as a legislative assembly in Saskatoon on February 18th and 19th. At that time, a new election date will be picked, with May 27th being the recommended choice.
Metis Nation Vice President, Gerald Morin, says the extra time will be needed to organize a proper province-wide vote.
“We certainly don’t want to have the election voided in the future and have to do the whole thing all over again,” he said. “So, we want to do it properly, legitimately and democratically as well.”
Neither Morin or current Metis Nation President Robert Doucette are running for president. Doucette says he is done and will focus his time on his new role as grandfather, while Morin says he will be seeking re-election as vice president.
In the meantime, the Metis Nation is running on empty, and the office remains closed. A recording greets you when you call.
“You have reached the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, please be advised that the office is closed until further notice, sorry for the inconvenience.”
Doucette and Morin have been embroiled in a long and bitter fight over leadership of the organization. That fight officially ends with the election of a new president.
Morin expects a lot of people will be putting their names forward.