MNS Hoping to Amend Laws to Replace Chartier

MNS Hoping to Amend Laws to Replace Chartier

Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 13:28

 

 

The Metis Nation of Saskatchewan is waiting for a key vote in January before it decides on its next president.

 

Current president Clem Chartier was elected president of the Metis National Council earlier this fall.

 

Under MNC rules, he has until January 22nd to vacate his position with the MNS. The MNC prohibits its presidents from holding similar positions with provincial Metis branches at the same time. However, for the time being, Chartier is president of both organizations.

 

Chartier says back in July, before his election as MNC president, the Metis legislative assembly in Saskatchewan decided to amend its constitution regarding the replacement of departed executive members.

 

Chartier says the amendment calls for the 18-member Provincial Metis Council to select a new president from among its members. That amendment needs final ratification at a general assembly in January before it can take effect.

 

Under the current rules, a Metis legislative assembly has to be called to choose a new president — a process Chartier says would be too expensive to do.

 

The general assembly will be held January 17th in Saskatoon and is open to all members of the MNS. The membership will have the opportunity to vote on the amendment, but not on the decision on who will be the next president.

 

If the amendment is ratified, a new president is expected to be selected from the Provincial Metis Council that day, and will serve in that capacity until late April — one month before the next scheduled MNS general election on May 26th.