Justice prevails: MMF and President Chartrand secure complete victory in MNC court decision

November 25, 2025

Winnipeg, MB, in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis - Today, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), National Government of the Red River Métis, is pleased to announce its resounding victory in Métis National Council Secretariat Inc. v. Chartier, 2025 ONSC 6150.

In a comprehensive decision, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice dismissed all claims advanced by the Métis National Council (MNC) and its remaining members, the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) and Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), against MNC’s former leadership, including President Chartrand, Clement Chartier, Wenda Watteyne and the MMF. The Court confirmed that the MMF and President Chartrand, Clement Chartier, and Wenda Watteyne acted honestly, in good faith, and in the best interests of the Métis throughout their leadership of the MNC.

“The decision lays to rest the MNA and MNO’s frivolous political crusade which weaponized the court at the expense of our people,” said David Chartrand, President of the MMF. “Even after the withdrawal of the MMF, MN-S and MNBC, the two entities – the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) and Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) – who tried to prop up the MNC, still decided to go ahead with this lawsuit, wasting millions of dollars trying to ruin the reputations of those who stood their ground and defended our identity when it was under attack. I’m happy to say that the court saw through their scheme. We are grateful to our counsel from Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb for their top-notch representation.”

The decision makes clear that the democratic voice of the Métis people cannot be circumvented through litigation. As the decision specifically notes: “political disputes are best decided at the ballot box”.

The Court outright rejected the MNC’s false narrative while confirming what Red River Métis Citizens have always known: the case was a calculated campaign to discredit the MMF and its leadership, and to undermine the good governance and resulting successes secured for the good of our people.

The Court decision noted the integrity and credibility of President Chartrand, Mr. Chartier, and Ms. Watteyne, finding their evidence “honest, straightforward, and sincere.” By contrast, the Court found the testimony of MNC’s witnesses – Audrey Poitras (MNA), Margaret Froh (MNO), and Cassidy Caron (former President of MNC) – self-serving and driven by political objectives. The accusers in this case were found to have impeached themselves.

The Court found that Ms. Poitras and President Froh were “evasive at times” or “flat out refused to admit when their evidence was clearly wrong.” Ms. Poitras was “unwilling to concede the obvious”, resisted acknowledging “the clear meaning” of her own letters, and at times gave interpretations to documents “that they could not reasonably bear”. President Froh also “refused to admit the obvious” and “provided explanations that were not logical” in support of her own position. Ms. Caron’s evidence was determined to be unhelpful as her “memory was poor and she was impeached several times”.

The MNC and its two remaining members, the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) and Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), need to answer for the millions of dollars that were wasted in pursuit of their personal vendettas – funding that should have been used to support Elders, Youth and all Citizens through vital programs and services. The Ontario Superior Court also ruled that President Chartrand, Clement Chartier and Wenda Watteyne are entitled to their full costs for defending against the meritless and unfounded claims, which numbers in the millions.

This ruling validates years of principled leadership by the MMF on behalf of the Red River Métis and exposes these attacks for what they are – a blatant attempt to discredit leadership and fracture our Nation. The Court’s words speak for themselves.

“It’s clear that the plaintiffs were not straight with the court, and the court saw through it. The MMF remains focused on self-government implementation, the delivery of programs and services to our Citizens, and defence of our identity as the Red River Métis,” said President Chartrand. “We will not allow the integrity of our government – or the legacy of our Veterans and our history – to be sacrificed to political agendas or personally motivated attacks. We will continue to stand up for truth and accountability, protect our democratic principles, defend our people, and uphold the best interests of the Red River Métis.”

Read the full decision here: MNC v. Chartier – Reasons for Judgement

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For more information, media may contact:
Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor
Manitoba Métis Federation
204-801-7710
Kat.Patenaude@mmf.mb.ca

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