MMF exonerated by Ontario Superior Court in lawsuit filed by national organization

An Ontario Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit that accuses the current president of the Manitoba Métis Federation and a former president of the Métis National Council (MNC) of misappropriating millions of dollars of the MNC’s funds. In a decision released Tuesday, Justice Loretta Merritt wrote that a series of transactions made under the leadership of former MNC president Clément Chartier and current MMF President David Chartrand did not breach their fiduciary duties. Merritt concluded they acted “honestly and with a view to the best interests of the MNC and the Métis Nation.” Chartrand told APTN News the lawsuit was never about anything other than political persecution. “I feel vindicated and so does the rest of the team,” he said. “It clearly was obviously seen by the court as a vengeance and vindictive utilization of the MNC funds to try and damage our names, our reputation and the MMF’s good name in government.” He added it’s unfortunate than the plaintiffs have spent millions of dollars litigating the case that could have been spent on legitimate services for Métis people. “Well, it does damage in the context that somebody can misuse in that concept to try and use dollars that should have went to Elders and youth and programs and services,” Chartrand said. “That for sure is something I have always – not as a politician but as a Métis citizen at home – I would be very upset that they did this to money that should have been used on us in some form or fashion.” The 2022 lawsuit alleged Chartrand, Chartier and former MNC executive director Wenda Watteyne conspired to intentionally harm the MNC through “secret, unauthorized and self-serving transactions” between 2019 and 2021. The lawsuit cited the administration of a veterans program, a database, an office lease and various consulting agreements. The MNC alleged the actions of the former employees were meant to “destroy” the organization so that the MMF would serve as the national voice for Métis. Merritt concluded that was not true. “Mr. Chartier and President Chartrand devoted their lives to the Métis Nation,” Merritt wrote. “They did not set out to destroy the MNC and harm it financially to benefit themselves, the consultants or the employees.” APTN News reached out to the Métis National Council but the organization declined an in person interview. However, in a press release the MNC said it is “disappointed with the outcome of the case” and that it remains committed to transparency, accountability and the protection of the interests of the Métis Nation. With files from the Canadian Press. Continue Reading