Chartier Re-Elected As MNC President

Chartier Re-Elected As MNC President

Monday, February 25, 2008 at 13:08

 

 

After being forced out of office last summer, Clem Chartier is once again in charge of the Metis National Council.

 

The Buffalo Narrows product came away with a first ballot victory in the election for MNC president in Ottawa over the weekend.

 

Chartier captured a majority of votes in a race that saw him pitted against Metis Nation of Ontario President Tony Belcourt, Metis Nation of British Columbia President Bruce Dumont and former MP Rick Laliberte.

 

Chartier finished with 28 votes, Belcourt had 12 votes, Dumont received 11 votes, and Laliberte garnered 3 votes.

 

Belcourt, Dumont and two other provincial Metis leaders — including Metis Nation – Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette — ousted Chartier from the president’s chair almost seven months ago, after deciding his term as president had been extended against MNC rules.

 

Chartier eventually took the matter to court.

 

Last fall, a judge temporarily suspended operations at the national Metis organization.

 

The MNC also saw its funding from Ottawa halted.

 

Chartier says this result proves he has a broad base of support all across the land, and not just in certain regions.

 

He says he’s not going to dwell on the past, adding he has already established a working relationship with Doucette — and he’s confident the two can work together.

 

Chartier says he has already met with office staff from the MNC and reassured them he is working to save their jobs.

 

He pledges to immediately begin working on a plan to restore government funding to the MNC.