Statement by the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan with regard to a Statement made by Clement Chartier on January 24, 2020

Press Release

On January 24, 2020, Mr. Clement Chartier released a statement regarding an ongoing legal proceeding related to his involvement with the 2019 Durocher v Canada case. The matter in question is before the appropriate legal forum and the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MNS) wishes to allow this forum to determine the outcome of the matter, as is their function, rather than involve the court of public opinion.

The MNS would like to address several false allegations made the January 24, 2020 statement that are unrelated to the ongoing legal proceeding and to assure MNS Citizens that Métis rights, in particular the Northwest Saskatchewan and related land claims, are a key priority for the MNS.

Mr. Chartier makes several comments throughout his statement implying that President McCallum and the MNS are working against the protection and promotion of Métis land rights in Northwest Saskatchewan. This statement is false. The MNS has been in Section 35 rights negotiations with the federal government since 2017 and these negotiations have specifically highlighted the Northwest Saskatchewan land claim. This is evidenced in the 2018 Framework Agreement signed between the MNS and the federal government which lists land claims, in particular the Northwest Saskatchewan land claim and land claims more generally, as the first priority in negotiation subject matters. Furthermore, six months ago the MNS and the federal government set up a side table to their ongoing section 35 negotiations table to specifically work toward the resolution of all land claims in Saskatchewan. We note that this is the first Métis land claims-specific negotiations table in Canada.

In addition, Mr. Chartier characterizes the current legal action against him as a personal attack from MNS President McCallum. These statements are also false. It is inaccurate to attribute actions taken by the MNS as a government to President McCallum personally. The MNS is a democratically elected government. As such, all actions taken by the MNS are approved through the processes set out in the MNS constitution and legislation.

Mr. Chartier outlines many Métis rights cases that he has worked on over his legal career in his statement. The MNS acknowledges the important work that Mr. Chartier has done. However, past achievements do not excuse what we view as current disregard of the Saskatchewan Law Society Code of Professional Conduct.

We hope that is matter is resolved soon in a professional manner and will release further information, as necessary.

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