(Vancouver, BC) – The BC Métis Federation continues to call on governments to address long standing issues facing our Mètis community in British Columbia and across Canada. Recently BC Métis Federation shared public information regarding “compliance audits” completed by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) in 2012 that included other Federal Government departments.
In June a delegation of BC Métis Federation leaders travelled to Ottawa to address AANDC directly about the concerns of what the compliance audit findings revealed in British Columbia in relation to the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) as well as Métis National Council (MNC). Both of these organizations purport to represent all Métis people in British Columbia and across the country which is not true.
This past week BC Métis Federation was provided additional information relating to the MNBC compliance audit which reviewed contracts administered by MNBC between 2008-2012. The compliance audit findings raise very serious questions about MNBC board potential fraud, serious mismanagement, many ineligible payments to the MNBC Senators, MNBC staff advanced travel without justification or payback, plus many other very serious allegations. The most significant was the MNBC board taking approximately $880,000 over the audited time period that was deemed ineligible. In addition the former MNBC Vice President is identified that he doubled billed and claims almost $100,000 in unsubstantiated travel support.
BC Metis Federation President Keith Henry stated, “The additional information provided through the Freedom of Information access is outrageous. The past and current MNBC board members along with several others must be investigated to the full extent of the law. There is no question about what the independent audits identified and it is morally, ethically, and perhaps legally wrong.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry added, “The past and current board owed a fiduciary duty to the people they purport to represent and they have all failed in this duty of public office. This attitude has contributed to the current situation where MNBC is millions in debt and we are unclear about why the Federal Government, through AANDC, would not take further action to get money paid out that was in breach of the contracts.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded, “Given the seriousness of the issues raised in the compliance audit supported by the fact that this information was never disclosed to the Métis public, we are taking steps to refer the matter to the proper authorities. We believe the MNBC board has legal responsibilities that were ignored, as they have been for years, for political reasons and our communities and families suffered. We hope an objective investigation by the proper authorities will clarify the legality of this matter. “
For more information about the BC Métis Federation please go to www.bcmetis.com.
Media Inquiries:
Keith Henry
President
BC Métis Federation
#300-3665 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2
Office 1-604-638-7220
Cell 1-778-388-5013
Email k.henry@bcmetis.com
You can now follow BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry on twitter @keithhenryMetis
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