Court orders MNS get down to business
- EFN Staff | December 30, 2014
A Court of Queen’s Bench Justice has ruled the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MNS) get back to work.
In a December 22, 2014 ruling, Justice J. Scherman ordered the MNS hold a Provincial Métis Council (PMC) meeting in order to call at Métis Nation Legislative Assembly (MNLA).
Scherman’s 23-page ruling compared the turbulent times at the MNS to something that could provide inspiration to Shakespeare and commentary from Machiavelli
In it, Scherman says the PMC has a clear duty to call an MNLA and has been in breach of such duty.
“Who is responsible for that breach is not so clear, but it is not necessary for me to decide that.”
For the last two years, the MNS has been in a stalemate with the PMC refusing to set a date and place for an MNLA. In his ruling, Scherman acknowledges the two “factions” of MNS President Robert Doucette and Vice-President Gerald Morin camps.
Not having an MNLA has had serious consequences, as the federal government recently suspended funding for the organization. Read the letter from Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt informing the MNS of its default on funding.
While ordering the MNS to get back to business, Scherman was careful to not weigh in on either side of the politics, but did offer what he calls “common sense” reflections:
“It appears that with their intense focus on the conflicts at hand, the parties have lost sight of how Métis Nation – Saskatchewan was intended to operate. I remind the parties that MNS was created to be a democratically governed political action group committed to the betterment of the Métis people of Saskatchewan. Read your constitution and focus on the big picture.”
“I do know that the limited orders that I have made will not purge the conflict...MNS cannot survive unless the principles of democratic decision-making are accepted by all, at each level with MNS.”
“No one person or group of persons is entitled to dictate what the PMC can consider or will do. The decisions of the majority will decide issues and all parties must respect those decisions.
“Once the decision is made by the majority following this process, accept the decisions made and move on.”
Because of the ruling, Doucette says today he is sending out notice of a PMC meeting slated for January 16 and 17 in Saskatoon, where he says he is “prepared to sort out any issue with the PMC members.” Scherman noted in his order that previously Doucette tried to control the agenda and limit it to one item (setting the date of an MNLA), which Scherman says he cannot do.
As per the court order:
- Within 7 days of the date of the order, Doucette shall give notice of date, time and place for a PMC meeting to occur no later than January 23, 2015.
- Meeting shall be for two days. No one shall attach any conditions to restricting the agenda. All decisions on who is properly a member of the PMC shall be made by a majority of the acknowledged proper members and the agenda will be determined by a majority vote of members.
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