(November 25, 2025) The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has ruled against the Métis National Council (MNC) in its lawsuit against the former Métis National Council leadership and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF). The decision was handed down yesterday. It is a big win for former MNC President Clement Chartier, MMF President David Chartrand, the former Chief Executive Officer of MNC Wenda Watteyne, and the MMF.
In its lawsuit, the MNC had made a number of claims against the former MNC leadership relating to breach of fiduciary duty and financial impropriety, however the Ontario Superior Court Justice said that she found no evidence to support the claims of the MNC alleging breach of fiduciary duty by the defendants and dismissed all claims against them. In the course of her 151-page decision 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.
The lawsuit was filed in January 2022 after a new MNC President took over in September 2021. Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) through its interim President 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.
Former MNBC President Clara Morin DalCol says, “The decision by the Ontario Court is a tremendous win for Clem Chartier, President Chartrand and Wenda Watteyne and I am so pleased when Justice Merritt recognized the good and honest work that they carried out on behalf of our Métis Nation.”
She says, “I had the privilege of serving with them when I was President of MNBC and I saw what a difference they made for the Métis National Council and our Métis Nation, especially when we signed the Canada-Métis Nation Accord in April 2017.”
“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”, said the former MNBC President.
Ms. Morin DalCol says, “This was disgraceful behaviour by the MNC Board of Governors in January 2022 when they decided to initiate this lawsuit, and MNBC was part of the MNC Board of Governors at that time.”
Are you getting tired of this kind of incompetence and irresponsible use of tax dollars meant for Métis seniors and Métis families? Red River Métis British Columbia is the grassroots Métis organization totally committed to improving the lives of our true Métis people in British Columbia. We work on the issues that matter to our members through strong and effective advocacy work with governments. MNBC has lost its way so come join us.
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