(March 10, 2022) Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) and their Chief Executive Officer have suddenly parted company after just 20 months. The departure of Daniel Fontaine took place earlier this week following a weekend meeting of the Métis Nation Governing Assembly (MNGA). It is not known if the MNGA and his departure are related.
For some unknown reason the sudden departure of Fontaine has not yet been formally announced by MNBC on their website. Instead, his name and picture have been removed from the MNBC website, and replaced by another individual who has been put into the role of CEO in an acting capacity. Even though the organization posts almost daily announcements on its website, it would appear that MNBC did not want to publicize this one.
So what prompted the departure of the CEO? Did he leave on his own volition or was he pushed? And did he receive a severance package on leaving, and how much is it because if there is a settlement package and if there are dollars involved, those are dollars that should be going to the MNBC Communities and not to severance packages.
Given how the Board of Directors claims to be accountable and transparent on all matters, it will be interesting to see whether they will live up to their claims now that their most senior and highest paid staff person, the one and only individual who reports to the Board suddenly leaves the organization.
BC Métis Leader Clara Morin Dal Col said today, “Where’s the accountability on this latest issue? Maybe it is too hot for their new President to handle.”
She added, “They failed to provide a report at the recent MNGA on the expenditures and remuneration of Board members and of the Chief Executive Officer. Even though the report is required under Article 9.2.1 of the MNGA Act, no report was provided. Failure to provide a report shows a complete lack of accountability, and with the CEO suddenly leaving, again there is no accountability. They all seem to be keeping their heads down, hoping it will go unnoticed.”
MNBC is having problems, and just wait until the by-election for vice president gets under way very shortly because current Board members have to resign from their positions, if they decide to enter the race for the higher paying role. That could lead to more problems on the horizon.
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For further information:
Contact Clara Morin Dal Col
BC Métis Leader
Email: cmdalcol@gmail.com
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