Forwarded email alleging vote swaying triggered legal warning from senior federal official's husband, says Winnipeg man
A Winnipeg First Nations rights activist says the husband of a senior Aboriginal Affairs official threatened him with legal action over a mass email containing unproven allegations the federal government attempted to interfere in the recent Assembly of First Nations election.
(Gerald McIvor says senior official’s husband phoned him with warning after forwarded email. APTN/File Photo)
By Jorge Barrera
APTN National News
A Winnipeg First Nations rights activist says the husband of a senior Aboriginal Affairs official threatened him with legal action over a mass email containing unproven allegations the federal government attempted to interfere in the recent Assembly of First Nations election.
Gerald McIvor said he received a call Friday afternoon from Dean Fontaine, the husband of Anna Fontaine, director general for Aboriginal Affairs’ Manitoba region. McIvor said the call came after he sent out a mass email containing a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper from former Roseau River Chief Terry Nelson.
Nelson’s letter made still unproven claims about alleged federal government attempts to sway the AFN election.
The email was sent to politicians of several parties, government officials and various journalists.
“(Dean Fontaine) said, ‘You know it’s about your email,'” said McIvor, recalling the phone call.
McIvor said Fontaine warned, he would “get a lawyer and take legal action if you don’t stop sending those (emails).”
McIvor said he took the warning as a legal threat.
“I took it as a threat, it’s not a credible one, it’s still a threat,” said McIvor. “He’s trying to tell me to shut up or he’ll sue me.”
APTN National News contacted Dean Fontaine who said he had a “private conversation” with McIvor.
“I am an ex-RCMP officer, I don’t make threats. I know what a threat is, I don’t threaten people,” he said.
Fontaine then referred APTN National News to his lawyer.
