Officials with the Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce say they do have an appeal process if recently dismissed board president J. Paul McLeod wishes to challenge his abrupt firing — but the utility contractor who took on the president's position last October says any further action will not likely go through the same organization that ended his leadership without notice.
"All options are being explored," he said, when asked about taking the issue further. "Their appeal process is not likely where this will end up."
McLeod, who built a construction career in the Fort McMurray area, moved his business and family to the Lac La Biche area after the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire.
"I came to this community as an evacuated 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire victim. Our family fell in love with the hospitable people, the community, the diversity and beauty this region has to offer. We bought an outlying ranch property and greatly enjoy the beauty and nature of the region and what the land has to offer," he told the POST in a statement last week. " I was encouraged to get involved with the Lac La Biche Chamber to bring outside perspectives and enthusiasm to the chamber. Last year at the AGM of the Chamber, the board was ready to close down the chamber. I looked to engage the members and encourage promotion of their businesses and the Lac La Biche region as a whole. We had little to work with and much to accomplish."
Not being told there was a board meeting to remove him, and then being told after the fact that he had not only been let go, but was also having his business membership in the chamber revoked, McLeod says the process has not provided a fair chance to defend himself.
Letter with "unsubstantiated accusations"
"I am disappointed that this is an example of why natural justice has not been adopted ... The Chamber Board met without my knowledge and without providing any facts, proof, or evidence. So without following process or standards of conflict resolution this board and its leadership behind my back has made the decisions they believe to serve their best interests," he said, explaining that he has been told the reason being offered for the decision is based on a letter allegedly sent to Lac La Biche County municipal leaders by someone McLeod says is not a Chamber of Commerce member, nor anyone he knows personally. The letter, says McLeod, made "unsubstantiated accusations with the intent to discredit myself as Chamber president."
"The author of this letter indicated that she would be willing to work to remove me from the Chamber," he added.
That formal decision was made on August 12 in a private meeting called for by seven of the eight directors on the Chamber's executive board. A short email statement about the decision was sent to Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce members on almost two weeks later, on August 25. Two days later, Chamber vice-president Gail Broadbent-Ludwig told the POST the decision was unanimous from the board. Broadbent-Ludwig, who will now take over the role of acting president since the organization's September 29 annual general meeting is just a few weeks away, says the dismissal and the process met the conduct provisions set out by the governing body of the Alberta Chamber of Commerce.
She said the ability for McLeod to appeal the decision is in the local organizations bylaws — but explained that since the AGM will likely occur before the appeal, only the issue of McLeod's business membership is likely to be up for debate since a new executive board and president will likely be sworn in during the AGM.
Broadbent-Ludwig wouldn't comment on discussions that took place during the behind-closed-doors meeting where the decision to end McLeod's presidency was made.
"We want to keep the integrity of the appeal process, so we won't release any details," she said, explaining that any appeal will be made before the full membership of the business-support organization. "The membership has the final say."
Broadbent-Ludwig had no timeline for when an appeal — if there is to be one — would be held.
McLeod also gave no timeline for his next step.
There was no explanation given as to why Chamber officials waited almost two full weeks after making the decision to release the information to the public.
