SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Liberal Association of the NWT may have gotten its candidate Michael McLeod elected in last fall's federal election but that does not mean everything is sunshine and roses within the association itself.

Yellowknifer has learned that John Dalton, a longtime city politician, businessman and trustee of the Yellowknife Catholic school board, resigned as president of the NWT Liberal association at a meeting held Monday night. He has been replaced by Fort Simpson businessman Charles "Chuck" Blyth.

Judging by responses to an e-mailed motion obtained by Yellowknifer calling for his ouster, it appears he had little choice.

The association also lost its vice-president at Monday's meeting when Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart stepped down from the position citing work and family commitments. He insisted his resignation from the executive had nothing to do with the Dalton controversy.

According to the e-mails, the motion to remove Dalton as president was introduced by association executive member David Monroe. He took Dalton to task in a scathing e-mail dated June 20.

"Since assuming the position of president, Mr. Dalton has failed to effectively communicate with the members of the executive in an effective manner," Monroe stated in his e-mail. "Communications to Mr. Dalton by e-mail from both fellow members of the executive and regular members have been completely ignored. Requests have gone unanswered and either through negligence or ignorance, answers to queries have been completely ignored."

Monroe went on to question Dalton's continued service as a returning officer for Yellowknife Centre despite the NWT's Elections and Plebiscites Act prohibition of any partisan activity by returning officers in territorial elections. Nonetheless, this was not the most serious allegation Monroe made against Dalton.

"Mr. Dalton has displayed his disgusting misogyny on repeated occasions and treats any women who disagrees with him with scorn and disrespect," Monroe's e-mail states. "For the reasons listed ... I believe the executive has more than sufficient cause to remove Mr. Dalton."

Dalton said in an interview last night that Monroe is entitled to his opinion but added his critic cited no evidence of the alleged sexist behaviour.

"I think that the individual that would be willing to put that in writing has some problems," said Dalton. "I think it's just the ramblings of someone who has a great deal of inner problems. He will be held accountable at some point."

Dalton had no comment when asked whether he is considering legal action.

Monroe did not respond to a request for comment by deadline. Neither McLeod nor Testart were willing to address Monroe's accusations in an interview with Yellowknifer.

Testart, who was Michael McLeod's campaign manager, said he could not comment because he is no longer on the executive. McLeod stated he would not be addressing the issue because officially only Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can speak on behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Testart stated in a response to the e-mailed motion that he did support the motion to remove Dalton as president.

"There has been no apparent change in the conduct of the president and (association) business continues to fall behind," wrote Testart. "All efforts have been made to correct the issues contained in the motion without success, which is why I am supporting the motion."

In another response, Bill Braden, chair of the association's fundraising committee, said dealing with the issue via e-mail is inappropriate and that Liberals in the NWT were shooting themselves in the foot.

"This is bizarre. Declaring John unfit for office and dealing with it via 'chiming' on e-mail is at the very least a demonstration of how undemocratic and dysfunctional our executive is," Braden wrote. "I suggest the cleanest and most open way of resolving this would be for the entire executive to submit our resignations."

Braden would not comment further to Yellowknifer, deferring instead to the new association president.

Blyth told Yellowknifer last night that he had no comment on Dalton's resignation. He said he was acclaimed as president and agreed to hold the position at least until the association's next annual general meeting in November.

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