MINISTER RELEASES LAMPARD REPORT

Released on November 1, 2004

First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Maynard Sonntag today released the independent review of the recent Métis Nation - Saskatchewan (MNS) election as prepared by Keith Lampard.

Lampard concluded the 2004 MNS election was not run in a fair and democratic manner and that its results cannot be relied upon by the Métis people and the Government of Saskatchewan.

In his conclusion, Lampard states: "In the foregoing pages it has been shown that electoral lists were improperly prepared; notices of date, time and place of poll were inadequately posted; ballot boxes were misdirected; many voters were disenfranchised; the control of ballots was lax; the directions to DRO's were inadequate; election officials received no training; the ballots cast were not counted accurately; one presidential candidate was allowed to appeal and overturn the official election results without going through the appeals process."

Sonntag accepts the findings in Lampard's report. As a result of the findings, Sonntag said the government will continue to suspend funding to the MNS. In addition officials across government will not recognize or engage with MNS representatives as Executive and Provincial Métis Council members or appointed MNS ministerial portfolio holders in any official capacity.

"I endorse the conclusions and recommendations outlined in Mr. Lampard's report," Sonntag said. "Our next step will be to consult the Métis community and our federal partners on the recommendations contained in the report. Together with Métis people, we need to determine an appropriate role for the provincial government to support Métis people in their efforts to achieve democratic reform in the MNS."

Lampard recommends an election model that could avoid the kind of problems detailed in the report by combining a central Métis registry and the electoral office into one independent office with one politically neutral officer selected to be both Registrar and Chief Electoral Officer.

The provincial government has no authority to order a new election for the MNS. MNS elections are set in its Constitution for the last Wednesday in May every four years, commencing in May 2004.

"The Government of Saskatchewan respects and recognizes the Métis community as part of our rich heritage and as vital contributors to our present social and economic fabric. Métis people deserve fair and democratic elections like any other Canadians," Sonntag said.

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For More Information, Contact:

Anna Arneson First Nations and Metis Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-8008