Sonntag, Roth Discuss MNS Dispute In Person

Sonntag, Roth Discuss MNS Dispute In Person

Monday, March 13, 2006 at 14:18

It’s not clear if disputed Metis Nation of Saskatchewan president Dwayne Roth and Metis Relations Minister Maynard Sonntag are any closer to a deal for a new government-funded Metis election following a face-to-face meeting last week.

They discussed the ongoing election dispute in a private conversation on Friday at the National Metis Youth Conference.

However, they have differing viewpoints about how close they are to reaching an agreement.

According to Roth, Sonntag is comfortable with an election that is run by the Metis Elections Commission — as long as there is oversight by a jointly-appointed advisory committee.

But Sonntag says there won’t be any government funds flowing unless all Metis citizens are convinced there are no ties between candidates and those running the election.

Last week, the MNS announced it was prepared to recommend a new election be held October 21st. A government-commissioned report into the last election in 2004 concluded the results couldn’t be trusted.