Funding reinstated: MN-S president
- EFN Staff | May 31, 2017
It could be back to business for the once fledgling Métis Nation - Saskatchewan.
According to the newly elected MN-S president , the federal government has reinstated funding for the Nation that was suspended three years ago.
Just days after his election as President of the MN-S, Glen McCallum says he’s come to an agreement with the federal government.
"This is an important accomplishment for the Métis people in Saskatchewan, giving us back the ability to organize and meet the needs of our people,” said McCallum. “This shows the commitment of the Federal Government to build a relationship of trust going forward.”
The funding was suspended in November of 2014 because MN-S did not hold the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly in accordance with governance rules. Programs affected by the suspension included the Nation’s registry program and others overseen by the political organization.
The accounting firm Ernst & Young was contracted to maintain basic operations while the political body re-organized.
According to unofficial results, McCallum won the MN-S election with 1015 votes, 135 more than candidate Karen Anne LaRoque. McCallum is a Northern Village of Pinehouse resident and is taking over after four years of political controversy within the organization. The election for president was highly contested with nine candidates. The overall number of ballots cast for president was 5,100.
At this time, the amount of funding to be reinstated is confidential, McCallum said.