(May 10, 2026) An Ontario Superior Court Justice has awarded legal costs of $11.8 million to Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand (and MMF), former MNC President Clem Chartier and others for defending themselves against a lawsuit initiated by the Métis National Council (MNC). MNC will have to pay the costs. The lawsuit was dismissed by the Justice last November and MNC is seeking to appeal that November decision.
The original legal action was filed in January 2022 after a new MNC President took over in September 2021. Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) through its interim President of the day Lissa Smith was part of the MNC Board of Governors at the time the lawsuit was filed. When it was filed MNC was seeking $16 million in damages.
In the course of her 151-page decision in November 2025 Justice Loretta Merritt confirmed that former President Chartier, MMF President Chartrand, and Ms. Watteyne acted honestly, in good faith, and in the best interests of the Métis throughout their leadership of the MNC.
Now the same Justice has awarded legal costs of $11.8 million to President Chartrand and the others who had to defend themselves in the lengthy court case.
So does MNC have the money to pay the legal costs?
Good question but we don’t know the answer because MNC has not posted its audited financial statements since the end of March of 2024. Despite MNC stating on its website that "As part of our policy of transparency, the Métis National Council provides its yearly financial statements", no audited financial statements have been posted for the fiscal year that ended more than 13 months ago. So why haven't they posted the financial statements to the end of March 2025? Another good question!
How much money did MNC spend on its own legal fees in pursuing the lawsuit?
We know that answer. It was just over $5 million.
How much money does the federal government provide to MNC?
For the fiscal year of 2023/24 (the last fiscal year for which we have any financial information from MNC) it was nearly $19.4 million. We don't know how many millions the government has provided since then.
Why does the federal government even fund MNC given that they only have two governing members left, and those two governing members (MNA & MNO) each receive funding directly from the federal government?
Prior to September 2021, the MNC had five governing members and played a key role at the national level on behalf of the Métis Nation. That has now changed, and there is no need for government funding of MNC.
How much money does the President of MNC Victoria Pruden get paid each year?
That figure has never been published either, but it is believed to be a large salary. Is it more than $200,000? How high is it? Why don't they publish the number?
Former MNBC President Clara Morin DalCol says, “When the Justice of the Ontario Superior Court handed down her decision in November I stated that ‘…Think of the cost of this lawsuit – in the millions – and the losing party which is MNC will now have to cover the legal costs incurred by President Chartrand and the others in defending themselves. Remember MNC started this litigation. The funds spent on lawyers could have been much better used by Métis seniors and Métis families’.
Ms. Morin DalCol says, “I also said then and I say again today that this was disgraceful behaviour by the MNC Board of Governors of January 2022 who decided to initiate this lawsuit, and I would remind every Métis Citizen in British Columbia that MNBC was a member of the MNC Board of Governors at that time.”
She says, “Also don’t forget that MNBC’s Board of Directors of the day (most of whom are still on the Board today) moved the motion at the MNC Annual General Assembly in September 2021 to end the suspension of Métis Nation Ontario and bring them back into MNC. That move began the political decline of MNC because just 4 months later MNBC was at the table when MNC made the decision to mount the lawsuit against President Chartrand and former MNC President Clem Chartier and others.
Ms. Morin Dal Col says, “MNBC bears this responsibility and we should never let them forget it.”
Given their track record, why would any true Métis person in British Columbia want to belong to MNBC? Métis Citizens in British Columbia deserve better representation from a Métis organization with elected directors residing right here in British Columbia. That organization is Red River Métis British Columbia.
Ms. Morin DalCol – the President of Red River Métis British Columbia invites true Métis to join our grassroots organization which is focused on improving the lives of our true Métis people in British Columbia. You can apply to join Red River Métis British Columbia even if you have a membership with another Métis organization.
Join Red River Métis - British Columbia today, by clicking on
To paraphrase, "Clara was right about everything"
Should we get caps made?