Renée Lilley

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) has yet to&nbsp;file&nbsp;a statement of defence in a multi-million dollar lawsuit in which&nbsp;the Métis National Council (MNC) alleges the MMF caused it&nbsp;serious financial harm.

&nbsp;in Ontario Superior Court,&nbsp;alleges that in the lead-up to the MMF's departure from the MNC just before the MNC election last fall, the&nbsp;defendants&nbsp;"embarked upon a scorched earth policy to intentionally cause financial harm and other injury to MNC, recognizing that MNC and MMF would now be competing to be the legitimate or recognized authority and voice of the Métis Nation going forward."

None of the allegations have been proven in court.&nbsp;

$9 million&nbsp;from the $30 million&nbsp;Métis Veterans Fund Contribution Agreement was transferred to the MMF, breaching MNC bylaws.&nbsp;

Over a million dollars was&nbsp;wrongfully disbursed as lump sum payments to various consulting firms.

$800,000 was&nbsp;wrongfully given as severance payments to departing staff and inappropriate amounts of gifts were also given to spouses, colleagues and associates.&nbsp;

an archival and genealogical database belonging to the MNC&nbsp;was transferred to the MMF without board member approval.&nbsp;

a seven-year lease was signed for an MNC office in Ottawa at a higher-than-market rent, being paid to a landlord whose shareholders are associated with the MMF.

The MNC is seeking $15 million in damages, and another $1 million in punitive damages, as well as other forms of restitution, according to the statement of claim.&nbsp;

Métis National Council alleges previous leaders financially harmed it to give MMF 'unfair advantage'

The Métis National Council (MNC) is alleging its previous administration had a scheme to financially harm the MNC to better position the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) to take its place on the national stage, according to court documents.

The Matis National Council office at 340 Maclaren St. in Ottawa. Jan. 28 2022.

metis national council ottawa office

The Métis National Council office at 340 MacLaren St. in Ottawa. The statement of claim alleges the previous MNC administration signed a seven-year lease for this office space at higher-than-market rent in October 2021.

Métis representation at the federal level unclear as MMF breaks off from national council

Métis representation at the federal table going forward is unclear since the Manitoba Métis Federation, one of five governing members on the Métis National Council (MNC), dropped out of the organization.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens as Clement Chartier, president of the Metis National Council, speaks during the Metis National Council-Crown Summit on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Metis National Council Crown Summit 20180615

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens as Clement Chartier, president of the Métis National Council, speaks during the Métis Nation-Crown Summit on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in 2018.

The defendants had 40 days to file a statement of defence after being served, unless an intent to defend was filed, which then allows an extra 10&nbsp;days to submit a full statement of defence.&nbsp;

All but one of the 16 defendants — which includes individuals and companies — filed an intent to defend&nbsp;notice between Feb. 28 and March 31. Former MNC executive director Wenda Watteyne was the only defendant who&nbsp;did not.&nbsp;

The MNC has not yet filed the documents to&nbsp;start the process of a default judgment, meaning defendants would have no further time to file their statements of defence. In a default judgment, the defendants&nbsp;would by default admit&nbsp;the allegations.&nbsp;

Neither the MNC&nbsp;nor&nbsp;the MMF&nbsp;would&nbsp;comment, saying&nbsp;the matter is still before the courts.&nbsp;

Watteyne could not be reached for comment.&nbsp;

Manitoba Métis Federation has yet to file defence against Métis National Council lawsuit

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