LOLG Successful After 10-Week Trial - Conspiracy and Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims Against Indigenous Leaders Dismissed
Overview
On November 24, 2025, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice released its decision in Métis National Council Secretariat Inc. v. Chartier. The Court dismissed the plaintiff’s claim in its entirety. LOLG represented the defendants the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and MMF President David Chartrand. The decision came after a 10-week trial heard earlier this year.
The action arose from a highly contentious, years-long dispute over Métis identity. The identity dispute caused a governance stalemate at the Métis National Council (MNC), and led to the eventual departure of the MMF and several members of the administration from the MNC in September 2021. Shortly after taking control of the MNC, the incoming administration launched the action against the prior administration, alleging that they engaged in a “scorched earth” conspiracy and self-dealing and breached their fiduciary duties. In dismissing the action, the Court found that the MNC’s former senior leadership, including LOLG’s client President David Chartrand of the MMF, acted honestly, in good faith, and with a view to the best interests of the MNC and the Métis Nation. The decision provides a thoughtful application of the law of fiduciary duty in the context of Indigenous government, and also an important and detailed review of the history of the considerable efforts made by President Chartrand, Clement Chartier and others to secure unprecedented recognition and financial support for the Métis Nation from the Canadian government.
Rahool Agarwal, Michael Currie, Tyler Morrison, Azzam A. Cheema, and Andrea Galizia represented the MMF and President Chartrand. The decision can be found here.
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