How times change!

Tansi/Good Day Readers:

When www.CyberSmokeSignals.com came online (Summer, 2000), there was virtually no internet information available about the operations of the Manitoba Metis Federation. In fact, the term "Blog" did not exist. Today a handfull of sites are providing the province's taxpayers' with-up-to-date information - a transition which has been nothing short of remarkable.

Below is but one example from www.derrylsanderson.blogspot.com.

Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
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Metis National Council and the Health Agreement- Exclusive to MN&S (Metis News & Stuff)

I was informed yesterday through a couple of sources, there was a document circulating that showed the Government of Canada had suspended the mega health agreement that totaled ten million dollars over the course of the agreement. The issue that the government was concerned about revolved around the Metis National Council using health dollars for MNC operational purposes. I just heard the President of the MMF state on the Metis Hour, there was no issue with Health Canada and the agreement. Darrel Deslaurier's claims of health funding irregularities have been found to hold merit. The MNC used health funds for their day to day operations. I hope the national Metis politicians know that the aspiring Metis health students are the only ones to bear the brunt of these decisions made by the MNC Health Minister.

The person who sent the documents has stated their employment would be in jeopardy if his/her identity became known, so anonymity has been requested. I am having a tough time establishing a link to the documents for the readers so here is the complete text of the Health Canada document. (Derryl Sanderson)

From: Offices of the Deputy Minister of Health

To: Darren Kondysar

Financial OfficerMetis National Council

Dear Mr. Kondysar:

Re: Consolidated Contribution Agreement HQ0700689

This is further to my letter of October 29, 2007 adressed to Mr. Leclair, Chief administrative Officer notifying the Metis National Council (MNC), of health Canada's cocerns regarding the ability of the MNC to fulfill its obligations under the above referenced agreement, in light of budgetary difficulties faced by your organization at that time.

As you are aware under the terms of the agreement, the MNC is to insure amongst other tasks, the administration and distribution of bursary and scholarship allocations to the five Metis affiliate offices under Health Canada's Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative (AHHRI).

In November 2007 Mr Leclair informed me during a telephone conversation of the pending receipt of funding by the MNC from the Office of the Federal Interlocuter(OFI), which funding would enable the MNC to meet its second disbursement to its regional affiliate offices in light of the fact Health Canada funding was used to address pressing operational needs of the MNC. Despite these assurances, I understand the MNC has not received any funding from the OFI and as a result, the MNC has not proceeded to disburse the allocations to its regional affiliates as obligated.

In light of this situation I wish to advise you that Health Canada considers the MNC to be in default as having failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement. As per s.21(1) of the Agreement, I will ask my officials to schedule a meeting with the MNC to review the situation. I have also instructed my officials to withhold all outstanding funding related to the above mentioned Consolidated Contribution Agreement.

While I understand there are extenuating circumstances, it has nonetheless become necessary for Health Canada to take an appropriate course of action. I would also like to inform you and your Governing members that Health Canada is not in a position to discuss any future funding arrangements or new agreements until your governance and financial situations are resolved.

I know the MNC continues to work closely with health officials. I look forward to resolving this issue with the MNC so that work on the Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative.

Yours sincerely,

Ian Potter

All of the provincial MNC leaders were sent a copy of this very disturbing document, that was dated January 23, 2008. (Derryl Sanderson)