Three of the four candidates contesting for the presidential office of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan outlined their vision for the political body during a virtual candidate’s forum Tuesday evening.
Clement Chartier was first to present his platform. He explained that the future of the Métis as a whole is threatened by current MN-S president Glen McCallum and the Alberta Métis, who want to expand the citizen registry to historically non-Métis people in Ontario. He warned that this is a dangerous path, which must be stopped. “We will never again, return to being a Pan-Aboriginal organization like we were prior to 1983 when we left the Native Council of Canada, and formed the Métis National Council, which is the one and only true national representative of the Métis Nation,” Chartier said. Chartier committed to empowering the local Métis groups, vowing not to centralize power by breaking them up, but treating them with more respect. He said he wanted to eliminate possible retribution within the MN-S, by not threatening to kick out any local groups. Chartier stated he would keep Métis affiliates at arms-length, not wanting to absorb them into MN-S Ministries, viewing this as a power grab by the current administration and increasing the organization itself.
Glen McCallum, the incumbent president was fending off attacks from Chartier and fellow candidate Mary Ann Morin. McCallum spoke of the future of the Métis stating that self-government was the way forward, as it would provide increased child and family services, housing, economic development, education and health. He said self-government would bring respect to the Métis. “We are at the crossroads at a point in our history that we need to make a decision. Either we continue the path of self-governance or back to the old ways,” he explained. “Our self-government agreement includes the honor of the Crown. This requires any sitting federal government to respect our agreement and deal with us fairly.” McCallum spoke to increasing financial support to MN-S locals as a way of building capacity. He said this would continue through self-government. McCallum said he worked with the affiliates to unite them and would assign them to MN-S ministries to eliminate duplication of services, while maximizing dollars. McCallum attempted to downplay his power within the organization, stating he had one vote within the Council and that it was the collective Legislative body which make decisions, not him solely.
Mary Ann Morin centered her platform on the need to look after Métis citizens and increase representation. “My platform will be on rebuilding the nation through including citizens. Métis Nation-Saskatchewan is a political body that represents people, we haven’t seen them in the past three years,” said Morin. “My goal is to ensure that people’s voices are heard.” She said she wanted to strengthen social and health development prior to focusing on economics. Morin said she would increase support for the local Métis through listening and hiring qualified people to engage the local level. She disagreed with McCallum in having the Métis affiliates under the MN-S umbrella, wanting the current structure to be left alone, concerned that this would only increase costs.
The fourth presidential candidate Karen LaRocque was not in attendance at the forum, citing vehicle mechanical issues. She did not make a presentation. The Métis election is scheduled for May 29.