Thursday, May 25, 2006

"Dirty politics" by whom?

Metis Leader Alleges Smear
Charges Dirty Politics At Play
By Rochelle Squires, Legislature Reporter
The Winnipeg Sun
Thursday May 25, 2006
Page 9

David Chartrand, the president of the Manitoba Metis Federation, believes he's a victim of a smear campaign staged by his opponent trying to swipe the leadership title from him at the June 29 presidential election.

A challenge was filed against Chartrand's bid to seek re-election as president of the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) last Sunday alleging he has a conflict of interest. The challenge was filed by Dave Charette.

"It Doesn't Exist"

Charette alleges that Chartrand's common-law wife has a lucrative contract with MMF to provide insurance.

"There is no contract! It doesn't exist," said Chartrand, who has been president of the organization since 1997. "There's no doubt in my mind that people won't accept this dirty politics."

Charette is on the campaign team for Yvon Dumont, the other only other candidate in the race for president.

Charette cites a section of the MMF constitution that prohibits anyone who receives financial gain from a contract with the MMF from running as a presidential candidate.

"I think there's been a great injustice to the Metis people and I think some people are profiting off the poor," said Charette.

However, even if there has been a constitutional breach, Charette's challenge isn't worth the paper it was written on, said Alvin Zivot, chief electoral officer for the MMF.

"He didn't file it in time and I can't accept the challenge according to the Manitoba Metis Federation constitution," said Zivot. "It was filed on May 21. He needed to file it by May 19. I haven't even looked into whether it has merit or not."

Charette disagreed his challenge was filed too late for consideration and said he's being stymied.

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dirty politics or not, it doesn't feel nice to be picked on now does it David? And besides, if you've done nothing wrong, then you have nothing to worry about, right?

Too Chicken To Sign My Real Name

10:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dirty politics or not, it doesn't feel very nice to get picked on now does it DC? And besides, if you've done nothing wrong, then there's nothing to worry about it is there???

Too Chicken To Sign My Real Name Because I Can't Afford To Go To Court

10:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Um, am I missing something here? On the MMF Inc. website, under the "Notice of Election" link at the top of the page, then under the "challenge to voter" link at the bottom left, it clearly states "Written challenges will be accepted up to and including May 21, 2006 by 5:00 p.m.". If, according to Alvin Zivot, Dave Charette filed on May 19, 2006, doesn't that mean that his challenge was submitted well within the guidelines?

9:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

All of you know that anyone can't get a fair and honest election from you know WHO. It just makes me SICK and the feeling of throwing-up,to see so much bull is coming from a elected leader(which everyone knows that didn't win last time,including himself knowing it.) It's a shame,that goes to the centre of your heart,that hurts emmensly and every good,honest Metis person feels the PAIN. GET THE THUG OUT!

2:53 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home