More MNS Election Forgery Suspects Appear In Court

Wednesday, October 05, 2005 at 16:00

 

 

Four women charged with forgery in relation to last year’s Métis Nation of Saskatchewan election all made appearances in a packed court room in North Battleford this morning.

 

The cases of Cheryl Gervais, Marie Ironstand, Aline Stubbington and Rebecca Vermette were dealt with separately and have been adjourned to later this month to allow the suspects more time to find lawyers.

 

The women are residents of North Battleford and Lloydminster.

 

Another suspect — Vince Bugler of Saskatoon — was supposed to make his first court appearance today, but he didn’t make the trip after making prior arrangements with Crown prosecutors.

 

Bugler is now scheduled to make a court appearance on November 3rd.

 

MNS president Dwayne Roth was among the 60 spectators present for this morning’s proceedings.

 

Outside court, he told reporters that even though nine people are facing charges, they are just allegations at this point.

 

He also said it won’t stop his group from trying to hold an MNLA in Meadow Lake next month – but a lack of funding might. He added a proposed May 2006 election will likely be postponed if the funding doesn’t come through and the MNLA is not held.

 

Long-time rival Robert Doucette was also in North Battleford this morning and said he can’t believe Roth and the rest of the MNS executive haven’t stepped down in light of the charges that have been laid.

 

Doucette said no one respects the results of last year’s election, and wondered what else needed to happen for Roth to realize that.