/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/politics/2022/01/28/mtis-national-council-takes-former-president-manitoba-mtis-to-court/20220128150132-61f4531756cea6a37fe9314fjpeg.jpg)
The Métis Nationwide Council has filed a lawsuit in opposition to its former president and the Manitoba Métis Federation alleging monetary irregularities and questionable contracts.
President Cassidy Caron mentioned there was a full evaluate of the group following her election final 12 months.
“Virtually instantly my eyes had been opened to some, in my view, very regarding governance and monetary practices and insurance policies, or fairly an obvious lack there of,” Caron mentioned in a video posted on the Métis Nationwide Council’s social media Thursday.
An announcement of declare, filed within the Superior Courtroom of Justice in Ontario on Thursday, alleges the council’s former management adopted a “scorched earth coverage” upon their departure with a aim to create “extreme monetary and reputational” harm to the nationwide council. It additionally alleges former management made offers to financially profit themselves and others.
The nationwide council is searching for $15 million in damages.
The lawsuit names Clement Chartier, who was president from 2003 till Caron’s election final 12 months, in addition to the Manitoba Métis Federation and its president, David Chartrand, who served as vice-president of the nationwide council beneath Chartier.
“There isn't a foundation of truth of regulation on this. There’s nothing. They only grabbed a giant quantity out of the air,” Chartrand mentioned Friday in Winnipeg.
Chartrand referred to as the lawsuit a vindictive assault in response to the Manitoba federation withdrawing from the nationwide council on the eve of Caron’s election.
Chartrand added the outcomes of a two-year audit, achieved on the behest of the federal authorities, had been launched in 2020. Chartrand mentioned the impartial monetary evaluate couldn’t substantiate allegations of monetary mismanagement levied at the moment.
The Métis Nationwide Council additionally contains provincial Métis organizations from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and British Columbia. It was fashioned in 1983 to assist the popularity and promotion of Métis folks as a definite cultural group with their very own governments and desires.
Presidents of the Métis organizations in Saskatchewan and Alberta got here out in assist of the nationwide council’s transfer saying the allegations had been distressing and transparency is required.
“We can't ignore what was discovered throughout an inside evaluate. We're obligated to behave,” Glen McCallum, president of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, mentioned in a press release.
The lawsuit incorporates allegations that haven't been confirmed in court docket.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 28, 2022.