SASKATCHEWAN ANNOUNCES APPROACH TO FACILITATE MNS ELECTION

Released on November 4, 2005

Saskatchewan is offering a solution aimed at holding a new fair and democratic election for the leadership of the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MNS).

The plan comes in response to the report released by the Métis Electoral Consultation Panel in July of this year. Information on the Panel report can be found at www.fnmr.gov.sk.ca.

The provincial government respects the governing procedures of the MNS and its legislative processes which were determined by Métis people and are outlined in the MNS Constitution and other related legislation and policies. Therefore, the government has developed an approach based on facilitating changes that can lead to a democratically elected MNS executive.

The initiative will be funded by both the provincial and federal governments. It involves establishing a Métis Elections Advisory Committee, with a Chief Electoral Officer to begin planning and preparing for a MNS election, including the development of a voters' list. The plan also involves a number of conditions that must be followed to hold an election which will have to be agreed to by the MNS. Funding is contingent on the conditions being followed.

The conditions include:

• Holding a Métis Nation Legislative Assembly to call the election;

• Holding a General Assembly of Métis people to ratify the election;

• Agreeing to use the appointed Chief Electoral Officer for the election; and

• Agreeing to work with the Métis Elections Advisory Committee and adhering to its recommendations during the elections process.

"We believe it is the best viable solution to reach the goals that Métis people asked for in the report," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "With the co-operation of all parties, Métis people in Saskatchewan will soon have a democratically elected MNS that has both restored relations and restored funding with the federal and provincial governments."

With the co-operation of the Métis people and the MNS, an election could be held next year.

"Fair, accountable and transparent elections are elemental to the good functioning of any democracy," Sonntag said. "The provincial government will resume normal relations and restore funding to the MNS when we are assured that a fair and democratic election has been held."

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For More Information, Contact:

Alethea Foster First Nations and Metis Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787 5701