Mary Ann Morin outside Prince Albert Court of Queen's Bench on Dec. 20, 2019. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Political unrest

Court rules in favour of former MNS treasurer

Mar 10, 2020 | 1:42 PM

Mary Ann Morin will remain treasurer of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan (MNS), according to a decision released Tuesday by a Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench Justice.

Morin was elected treasurer in May 2017. Four months after she was elected, she wrote a letter in which she was vocal about perceived lack of transparency by the MNS Executive. She wrote she would resign if her concerns were not met, but the executive accepted the letter as a resignation.

In his written decision Justice Gary Meschisnick stated Morin’s words cannot be read as an immediate resignation.

“Whether or not the law would require acceptance of the resignation, the writer is clearly making acceptance of the resignation a condition of it being effective,” he wrote.

At the court hearing last December, Josh Morrison, the lawyer representing the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan explained it was in a “state of chaos” at the time of Morin’s complaints and did not have the staff to handle Morin’s various requests for transparency. In 2015, the MNS had its government funding frozen, and was only able to start operating again after agreeing to a third party funding proposal.

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The letter from Morin, treated as a resignation letter, was put forward as a notice of motion at an upcoming meeting of the Métis Nation’s Provincial Council (PMC). Members accepted the resignation, despite Morin’s claim that she made multiple requests to have the motion rescinded beforehand.

“By engaging the procedure of having the motion debated at a PMC meeting by way of a motion, it seems to me the writer is at least reserving the right to withdraw the motion,” Meschisnick said.

Meschisnick also stated in his 21-page decision, Morin made clear attempts to have the motion withdrawn and determined the resignation was not valid.

For her part, Morin wrote an open letter to all Métis citizens of Saskatchewan. She states the decision proves the justice system “still works” for all Métis people.

“I want to thank all the Métis people of Saskatchewan especially those that believed in me and voted for me. This is not only my win but it is a win for all of us as Métis people of Saskatchewan,” she said adding she looks forward to meeting with people in the coming months to discuss the path forward.

The Métis Nation of Saskatchewan also released a statement arguing members are following processes with the intent to make proper decisions, including seeking legal advice where appropriate.

“Today’s ruling is a part of that process and we maintain that intent,” the statement said.

When legal action commenced in May of 2019, the MNS said it moved to promptly deal with the issue, and stand by the process.

“The Court declined to find bad-faith on the part of the MNS. At the end of the day this is a very technical legal case. Having reviewed the decision, the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan will be immediately appealing the decision,” the statement said.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell