By Bryan Eneas

Judge dismisses Metis Nation injunction application

Feb 17, 2017 | 11:07 AM

The Métis Nation of Saskatchewan Legislative and General assemblies will go ahead as planned.

Bryan Lee, president of the Fish Lake 108 Métis Local, filed an application for an injunction on Jan. 24 along with Green Lake local president Kelvin Roy and Treasurer Louis Gardiner. Lee said he does not recognize the authority of the Provincial Métis Council (PMC). He argued their term ended in September of 2016, therefore the PMC did not have the power to call assemblies.

“[Justice D.E Labach] has dismissed the application for injunctive relief, therefore the [Metis Nation Legislative Assembly] will proceed tomorrow,” Lee wrote.

The assemblies were called to schedule an election, after the vote originally set for Feb. 4 was called off when chief electoral officer Fred Payton became ill. Payton removed himself from the position on Dec. 15, through a letter to the Métis Nation.

Lee said upholding the application would be the “best thing going forward for the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan,” because it would allow for a full judicial reform.  

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Gerald Morin, currently the vice president of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, said the application “didn’t mean a damn thing,” and the assemblies would take place. He said he felt as though the Métis Nation had taken the appropriate steps in its call for an assembly.

The Legislative and General Assemblies are scheduled for Feb. 18 and 19 in Saskatoon. It has been recommended by the PMC an election be called for May 27, 2017. The final date will be confirmed during the assemblies.

paNOW reached out to Jay Watson, the legal representation of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, for comment. He was unable to return our message by publication.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas