DAWSON CREEK B.C. - Anthony Wingham has been elected the new president of the Métis Nation British Columbia following a provincewide by-election held on Saturday.
Métis Nation B.C. announced that Wingham secured 1,296 votes, defeating three other candidates in the race to lead the organization.
Michael Dumont received 645 votes, while Tony Goulet garnered 322 votes and Kyle Mitton received 178 votes.
According to the official count declaration, a total of 2,449 ballots were cast in the election, with eight spoiled ballots recorded.
In a statement, Métis Nation B.C. thanked citizens who participated in the vote and said more information would be shared after the new president is sworn into office.
The by-election was called following the removal of former president Walter Mineault. The Métis Nation B.C. Board of Directors voted to dismiss Mineault after receiving recommendations stemming from an independent investigation led by former B.C. Supreme Court Justice.
According to the findings cited by the organization, the investigation concluded Mineault had committed serious breaches of fiduciary duty, including conflicts of interest, intimidation and conduct that met the threshold for dishonesty, disloyalty or bad faith.
Wingham will now assume leadership of the Indigenous governing body as it moves forward under new administration following months of organizational turmoil and leadership transition.