How the MMF leadership violated your presumption of innocence, as well as, constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression!

POSNER & TRACHTENBERG
Barristers,. Solicitors & Notaries Public
710-491 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E4
Fax: (204) 944-8878

Gerald S. Posner
Manitoba & Ontario Bars

Murray N. Trachtenberg, B.A., LL.B.
Direct Line: (204) 940-9602
e-mail: mtrachtenberg@ptlaw.mb.ca
_____________________________________________
February 24, 2004

Petition Co-ordinator
Post Office Box 72
Duck Bay, Manitoba
R0L 0J0

Petition Co-ordinator
Post Office Box 128
Camperville, Manitoba
R0L 0J0

Petition Co-ordinator
Post Office Box 523
Winnipegosis, Manitoba
R0L 2G0

Petition Co-ordinator
Post Office Box 130
Skownan, Manitoba
R0L 1Y0

Dear Sir/Madan:

Re: Cybersmokesignals.com
Election Petition
My FileNo. 2003-20

I am the lawyer for the Manitoba Metis Federation.

This post office box was listed in a message dated February 6, 2004 posted on the website for cybersmokesignals.com. The message suggests that individuals who are signing an election funding petition posted on that website should forward those petitions to your post office box.

The petition contains statements which are untrue and defamatory of the Bard of Directors of MMF. These include the following.

"AND WHEREAS the Manitoba Metis Federation has been needlessly spending vast amounst of money for inappropriate travel and accommodation for David Chartrand, as well as, some Board Members.

AND WHEREAS David Chartrand has already spent tens of thousands of dollars on pre-election campaiging in aanticipation of the court order.

AND WHEREAS very large sums of money intended for appropriate purposes such as consulting with members on hunting and harvesting issues have already been spent by David Chartrand on campaigning.

AND WHEREAS the Federation's Board has been illegally authorizning campaign spending for David Chartrand and unlawfully spending your public money to pay his election court challenge legal fees.

AND WHEREAS unnecessary Board travel has been authorized for public relations purposes to one candidate only, namely, David Chartrand.

AND WHEREAS the Metis have no confidence that any extra funding provided to the Federation will be spent in a legal or appropriate manner but rather beleive all principles of fail play will be set aside by the Board of Directors approving campaigning and public relations expenses for David Chartrand only.

AND WHEREAS the Metis believe that any extra money provided to the MMF will be used in attempts to hinder and suppress the rights of the other candidates for the presidential election rather than providing the, with an equal opportunity."

I have already wirtten to Mr. Terry Belhumeur who is the registered domain holder of cybersmokesigns.com and advised him that a lawsuit will be oommenced against him, Clare L. Pieuk and the individual identified as "Metis mon" on the website if, in fact, such an individual does exist.

I am writing to you to advise you that any distribution of defamatory material (such as the election funding petition) by you to any other individual will result in you being liable to pay damages to the Board of Directors and the MMF.

In the event that you distribute any copy of the election funding petition thereby publishing the defamatory statements, a lawsuit will be commenced against you as well.

GOVERN YOURSELR ACCORDINGLY!

Yours truly,
MURRAY N. TRACHTENBERG
MNT/lec
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What a rookie mistake by minimum $250/per hour Canadian taxpayer funded lawyer Murray Trachtenberg! These statements are "allegedly" defamatory - where is the presumption of innocence we are guaranteed under our laws? Has a Justice and Jury of 12 ruled yet?

CounselorTrachtenberg did not realize the individuals behind those Post Office Boxes were highly respected Metis people within their communities - you would recognize the names. In fact, one is a senior Elder. Such unbridled arrogance - who the hell does he think he is talking down to them like that?