MAA members want fair leadership

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A group of nearly 20 concerned Metis Association of Alberta (MAA) members have collectively asked MAA President Sam Sinclair to take unbiased control of current disputes plaguing the Metis Regional Council Zone 4.

The group, which assembled in MAA's office on June 15, asked Sinclair to take a solid stand and decide whether or not he recognizes and supports the Zone 4 officials ? Vice-President Ben Courtrille and Director Ron LaRocque.

According to Zone 4 member Joanne Daniels, the group's "main concern is that the MAA is not recognizing the democratic process which elected the Zone 4 officials into power. It's up to the people to decide who they want representing them in the zone . . . "

The pressure put on the MAA by the Zone 4 group comes in the wake of council disputes that started at the Zone 4 annual assembly on April 26 in Edson where heated exchanges occurred between the elected officials and other council members. Daniels said she feels Courtrille and LaRocque were wrongly removed from their positions by a court order served to the Zone 4 representatives by the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, following a MAA board decision to dismiss the men. The decision was made on May 13 when a secret ballot at a board meeting voted 9 to 2 in favor of the Zone 4 officials' dismissal. At least nine votes are needed to remove an MAA official from office.

An additional court order based on an affidavit sworn May 14 by LaRocque stated that the two officials were reaffirmed to the Zone 4 positions. On May 23, Courtrille and LaRocque were also reconfirmed to the positions by the council vote at a continuation of the Zone 4 annual assembly meeting held in Spruce Grove.

Sinclair said he is not happy with the provincial court's action because he feels it did not recognize the MAA board decision in removing the Zone 4 officials.