As reported by J’ai mon voyage, the general meeting of the District council of ACTA Quebec (CRAQ) was held last week under strained circumstances. The AGM attracted only 6 members in addition to regional council members. The primary purpose of the meeting was to hold a vote to fill six vacant board posts, but as no candidates came forward, the election could not be held. All current members of the council will fulfill their mandated terms and were returned to their posts by acclamation.
Robert Turcotte will continue as CRAQ President but, due to a restraining order issued on behalf of ACTA National, was restricted from speaking on behalf of the national association at the meeting. Turcotte explained, “I will respect the injunction, and I will keep silent myself.” As such, V.P. Jean-Pierre Charon lead the meeting, assisted by Turcotte who whispered messages into Charon’s ear during the proceedings.
The meeting did adopt a unanimous resolution requiring ACTA National to pay CRAQ $20,000 within 15 days as per the agreement with ACTA National reached last November. That agreement was conditional upon CRAQ maintaining its membership level of 284 voting members, which ACTA QC stated had been achieved. The settlement was designated for ACTA QC’s own promotional campaign for Quebec agency members.
During the question period, 3 or 4 members wanted details on the reasons for the muzzle imposed by ACTA National on Robert Turcotte. CRAQ’s legal adviser, Daniel Guay, revealed that during discussions over the last few weeks, Robert Turcotte told ACTA National that he did not intend to keep silent concerning the French translation of the new ACTA web site. It was following this that the injunction was issued.
A little later during the proceedings, one of those same members, the President of Global Tourisme, Pierre Tremblay, submitted a motion for a resolution “supporting the right to speak of Robert Turcotte”. The motion was seconded by Denis Quenneville of Voyage Action in Beloeil and adopted with unanimity.
Mr. Turcotte did break his silence at one point to explain that there had been many translated versions of the muzzle agreement, and that he had in fact signed a previous version which now prevented him from ever speaking to the public or media, particularly with respect to the administrative counsel. “Obviously there are confidential matters,” added Mr. Turcotte. “I have always respected that. But when it comes to issues which relate to the best interest of our members, I have a right to speak and I shall always defend that.”
The issue goes to the heart of ACTA Quebec’s position on needing more autonomy in decision making and being less dependent on ACTA National for spending decisions and communication. Jean-Pierre Charon observed that legislative disparities between the provinces make difficult any harmonization. “If we decide to issue a simple statement… Vancouver is a long way away.”
“We only ask ACTA to adjust certain powers. We are all adults and serious business people. And we want to participate in a truly Canadian organization. But don’t put us in a corner, because we will react”.
l-r: Monique Audet, Uniglobe; Jean-Pierre Caron, V.P. CRAQ; Robert Turcotte, President CRAQ; Jean-Luc Beauchemin, Regional Director ACTA; Tony Santelli, College April-Fortier & Daniel Guay, legal advisor.
