YELLOWKNIFE - The past president of the Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife has given up his membership in protest, after discussions over whether the AFCY should withdraw from the Federation franco-tenoise were delayed.

Martin Dubeau, former president of L'association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife, has given up his membership over problems with the Federation franco-tenoise. To spark discussions over the relationship, Dubeau suggested the AFCY withdraw from the territorial umbrella agency. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo

Martin Dubeau, who served as board president of the AFCY for two years until 2006, suggested to the board that the Yellowknife association withdraw from the territorial organization. Dubeau gave up his membership after a meeting set in February to discuss possible withdrawal was postponed.

Dubeau suggested withdrawal due to "a history of tensions" between the two associations. Dubeau said that he feels strongly that the current Federation franco-tenoise board is not appropriately informing or consulting its members on its initiatives. He said his intention was to spark a discussion.

"I never felt like I was informed properly from the Federation," he said. "The Federation acts like a father rather than being a representative."

Dubeau said board members were not properly informed about the lawsuit between the territorial government and the Federation franco-tenoise over provision of GNWT services in French.

"They cannot show us numbers and say what they've done to come to that conclusion... They have their agenda and that's what they're concerned with," said Dubeau.

Sylvie Francoeur was involved with the AFCY from 1993 to 2005, and said the tensions between the two organizations led her to leave.

Although she doesn't necessarily want the AFCY to withdraw from the territorial organization, she said something needs to be done to fix the relationship.

Fernand Denault, president of the Federation franco-tenoise for the past six years, said that while there were problems when Dubeau was president of AFCY, those problems no longer exist.

He said since the board is a democratic institution, members will dictate whether the AFCY withdraws.

He denies any problems currently exist in the relationship between the two organizations.

Dubeau said Denault's six year tenure has been too long, and that the current board isn't holding fair elections by giving inadequate notice for nominations.

"Denault doesn't want to go anywhere," said Dubeau. "He wants to stay there at all costs."

Dubeau said that he would like to see Denault resign.

Current AFCY board president Patrice Lapointe says that he isn't interested in separating from the Federation, and said he sees no problems stemming from the current relationship.

The AFCY will, however, hold discussions on the possible withdrawal from the federation to assess members' concerns. He said it's too early to tell what actions might follow and would not comment on the postponement of the meeting.

Carmen Moral-Suárez, director general of the AFCY, said that the meeting was delayed because, with the announcement of her resignation, the AFCY was overwhelmed with upcoming activities.

When asked about the issues raised by Dubeau, Denault said he didn't have time to answer those questions.

If the AFCY were to withdraw from the Federation, this would affect the funding both organizations receive.

Currently each group receives separate funding from Heritage Canada under the Official Languages Act, said Moral-Suárez. Each group stands independently, and they receive a fixed percentage of the federal budget under the act.

Léo-Paul Provencher, director general of the FFT, said that funding received from the territorial government must go through the FFT.

If the AFCY were to withdraw, the two would have to come to some arrangement to divide the funds.

Denault said that during his time as president he saw most of that territorial money stop at the administrative level of the FFT.