Deal To End MNC Dispute Finalized

Deal To End MNC Dispute Finalized

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 15:19

 

 

A tentative deal to end a dispute at the Metis National Council has been formally agreed to by all parties involved — including the courts.

 

The Metis organization has been crippled by an impasse that saw the group’s election and assembly postponed last fall and its federal funding cut off.

 

The MNC assembly and election for president will take place in Ottawa on February 23rd and 24th.

 

The dispute centred on who would represent the Alberta Metis as delegates.

 

Alberta Metis leader Audrey Poitras had been refusing to include seven council members from her organization on the delegate list.

 

But under the new agreement, six of those individuals will be allowed to vote.

 

In all, Alberta will be allowed 14 delegates — one less than normal. Only one of them can be appointed — the rest have to come from that province’s governing council.

 

Saskatchewan and Manitoba will each have 15 delegates, while Ontario and B.C. will have five each.

 

Ousted MNC president Clem Chartier believes the new arrangement helps his chances of being re-elected.

 

But he also admits the national Metis organization’s image has taken a beating in recent months.

 

Chartier was removed from his position by four provincial Metis leaders last summer.

 

He eventually took the matter to court.