Métis Group Weighs in on Burial Dispute
In May, I wrote a blog about a battle between the wife of a dead RCMP officer and his mother over the burial place of his remains. The wife learned about a policy allowing an officer to be buried in the RCMP national cemetery and applied to the Director of Vital Statistics for permission to move the deceased’s body from its current place of burial (near his hometown) to the RCMP national cemetery in Saskatchewan.
The deceased’s mother objected to this and litigation ensued. In May, the Alberta Court of Appeal held that the wife could indeed move the body if she chose. The deceased’s mother has since indicated she intends to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Last week, CBC News reported that the Métis National Council has now become involved (the deceased was of Métis descent).
In an open letter to the deceased’s wife appearing in newspapers in Calgary and Regina, the president of the council implored to her not to move the body, writing “I hope you will reconsider your decision to have your husband disinterred and taken away from his people and his family…His resting place is a place of honour, an enduring testament to his selfless sacrifice and an eternal memorial to his cherished place in the hearts of his family and the Métis Nation."
It is not clear whether an application seeking leave to appeal the decision has been made yet and, if it is, whether it will be granted. If this case does end up before the Supreme Court I would not be surprised to see the Métis National Council seek leave to intervene.
Have a great day!
Megan F. Connolly
