Métis Nation British Columbia dismisses president amid allegations

SURREY, B.C. — Walter Mineault has been removed as president of the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC).

The Dawson Creek resident was voted out by MNBC’s board of directors due to “breaching his fiduciary duty to MNBC and Métis citizens,” according to a press release issued on Thursday, April 9th.

Mineault had been temporarily suspended from his role by the organization last summer for alleged conduct MNBC had deemed “inconsistent” with its policies. 

An independent investigation was launched immediately afterward. Meanwhile, northeast B.C. Métis groups showed support for Mineault, who was first elected as MNBC president in 2024. 

However, the organization had announced it had reinstated Mineault in December 2025, stating at the time it did so “after much consideration and clarification of the MNBC constitution,” adding it would work with Mineault in an effort to “strengthen the nation.”

In a document released alongside the release announcing Mineault’s removal, lawyer Robin Gervais, who conducted the investigation, recommended the dismissal.

“The report explicitly concludes the threshold for a breach of fiduciary duty, which requires evidence of dishonesty, disloyalty or bad faith, has been met,” reads part of the document.

Among the allegations include Mineault negotiating an inflated performance fee for a brother’s band at an event and pressuring MNBC staff to hire the musicians. When MNBC’s CEO neglected to hire them, Mineault allegedly had a 40-minute phone call where he “yelled, abused and intimidated” the official.

The report also details incidents of misogyny, bullying and refusing to approve board travel for dissenting directors as a “mechanism of control.”

MNBC said in the statement that Melanie Allard has been named interim president, with an election to replace Mineault expected to be called “soon.”

The organization said it would not make further comment regarding Mineault’s removal, while Energeticcity.ca has contacted the ousted president for a statement but did not immediately hear back.

The full report detailing the allegations is below: