Judge orders Métis Nation-Saskatchewan to hold legislative assembly

A Queen's Bench judge has ordered the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) to hold a legislative assembly on or before June 19.

In a written decision, Justice Brian Scherman worried about imposing the court's will on an organization like the Métis Nation. However, he wrote that it was "indefensible" to hold off holding the assembly until this fall.

The main issue surrounding the timing of the meeting revolves around money. 

Aboriginal Affairs has frozen any funding coming into the MN-S until it holds an assembly, made up of Métis delegates from across the province. As a result, the Métis Nation was forced to close its doors last week, laying off its remaining staff.

In his decision, Justice Scherman wrote about two "factions" in the MN-S that were bitterly divided. One faction, led by MN-S Vice-President Gerald Morin, argued the group needed more time to organize before a legislative assembly would be held.

However, Justice Scherman wrote, "Without funding MN-S will not be able to deliver its programs, it will fail to carry out its constitutional mandate, it will default on its debts, and its public and political reputation and integrity will be irreparably damaged."