Ontario Metis Leader Vying For MNC Presidency
Monday, February 04, 2008 at 13:54
The long-time head of the Metis Nation of Ontario has announced plans to run in the Metis National Council’s election for president later this month in Ottawa.
Tony Belcourt says it’s critical Metis across the country join hands, stop petty squabbling and move forward on several fronts.
Belcourt says, if elected, he will make sure the MNC stays out of provincial Metis politics and acts on a consensus basis.
He’s also confident he can stop the infighting currently plaguing the MNC.
Belcourt claims to be supported in his bid for the presidency by former interim MNC president Bruce Dumont, who is the current president of the metis nation of B.C.
Dumont was a candidate for president in the lead-up to the MNC election scheduled last October — before the vote fell through because of a dispute over delegates.
Belcourt’s competition includes former MNC president Clem Chartier, who was turfed last summer by Belcourt and three other provincial Metis leaders.
Belcourt says acquiring compensation for Metis residential school survivors, addressing veterans’ affairs and resolving land claims will be some of his top priorities, if elected.