OTTAWA — The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is celebrating a recent ruling from the Ontario Superior Court, which found that its president did not violate fiduciary duties while serving as finance minister for the Métis National Council (MNC). The decision, released on Tuesday, was made by Justice Loretta P. Merritt, who stated that transactions conducted under the leadership of former MNC president Clément Chartier and MMF president David Chartrand were not in breach of their responsibilities.

Justice Merritt concluded that both leaders acted “honestly and with a view to the best interests of the MNC and the Métis Nation.” In a media statement, Chartrand expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating, “It’s clear that the plaintiffs were not straight with the court, and the court saw through it.” He emphasized that the MMF remains focused on implementing self-government and delivering services to its citizens while defending the identity of the Red River Métis.

The lawsuit was initiated by the Métis National Council, which accused Chartrand, Chartier, and former MNC executive director Wenda Watteyne of conspiring to harm the MNC through “secret, unauthorized and self-serving transactions” between 2019 and 2021. The allegations included mismanagement of a veterans program, a database, an office lease, and various consulting agreements. The MNC claimed that the actions of the former employees were intended to undermine the organization and position the MMF as the national voice for Métis.

Justice Merritt dismissed these claims, stating, “Mr. Chartier and President Chartrand devoted their lives to the Métis Nation. They did not set out to destroy the MNC and harm it financially to benefit themselves, the consultants or the employees.”

In response to the ruling, the Métis National Council expressed disappointment but reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability. MNC president Victoria Pruden stated, “Court decisions may affect the pace, but they will never change our direction. The Métis Nation is stronger than any single dispute, and together we will keep telling our stories, defending our rights, and building our future.”

The court found the evidence presented by the MNC, along with the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Métis Nation of Ontario, to be lacking in credibility. Justice Merritt noted that the leaders of these organizations sometimes failed to acknowledge inaccuracies in their testimonies. She remarked, “Overall, I found Mr. Chartier, President Chartrand and Ms. Watteyne’s evidence more credible and reliable.”

The ruling also highlighted ongoing political tensions within the Métis National Council, particularly since 2017, when the Métis Nation of Ontario recognized six new communities as distinctly Métis. The MMF has strongly opposed this recognition, asserting that these communities do not represent legitimate Métis peoples and are located outside the recognized Métis homeland borders.

The Métis Nation of Ontario has defended its decision, while Chartier briefly suspended it from the MNC. Following the MMF's departure from the council in 2021, both the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and the Métis Nation of British Columbia also withdrew, citing similar concerns regarding representation. Currently, only the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Métis Nation of Alberta remain members of the Métis National Council.