Métis National Council President Clément Chartier (right) has announced legal action against new MN-S election rules. (Submitted/Métis Nationalist Movement Saskatchewan)

By Alison Sandstrom

Court case

Legal action against MN-S voting rules announced

Mar 12, 2021 | 1:11 PM

The president of the Métis National Council is seeking to reverse a new rule he says is unconstitutional and will limit the amount of people eligible to vote in the upcoming Métis Nation Saskatchewan (MN-S) election.

Clément Chartier, acting in his individual capacity as a member of the MN-S local of Buffalo Narrows and a member of a group called Métis Nationalist Movement Saskatchewan says a recent change to the Election Act “runs roughshod” over the MN-S constitution.

“Our argument is that it violates our constitution which was adopted in 1993 as an expression of our inherent right of self government,” Chartier told paNOW.

He said while previously any Métis, 16 years or older who met criteria had the right to cast a ballot by filling out a voter declaration form at the polls, now the recent amendment requires voters to be registered members of the MN-S or have applied for membership by March 30.

In a media release, Métis Nationalist Movement Saskatchewan said that means 65,000 unregistered Métis in Saskatchewan will be left out. Less than 15,000 of 80,000 Métis in the province are registered, the release continued.

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Chartier and presidents of Métis Locals in Prince Albert and Ile a la Crosse have filed a motion for judicial review of the amendment to the Election Act. Chartier said he hopes the court will hear the matter on an expedited basis and a decision will be made by the time the writ drops on April 29.

The MN-S election is May 29.

When contacted by paNOW, the MN-S declined comment at this time saying it would be “premature for MN-S to comment on any action that has not yet been served upon MN-S.”

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom