Another Alberta political party is now leaderless with a provincial election edging closer..Paul Hinman’s party membership has been suspended for a minimum 18 months and he’s been turfed as leader of the Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta (WIPA). .Hinman was notified of the decision via email Monday night..“This letter is to inform you that the Board of Governors have found that you have breached the Code of Conduct and the bylaws,” reads the brief statement sent to Hinman from WIPA Secretary Wes Caldwell..“It has been determined that your membership has been suspended for not less than 18 months, after which time you may apply to the Board of Governors who may vote to reinstate your membership.”.“As such you are no longer leader of the Wildrose Party of Alberta.”.The decision arrived on the heels of a Zoom disciplinary hearing and vote held Monday night..Hinman, WIPA leader since July, 2021, refused to participate in the hearing, dismissing it as a “kangaroo court.”.He intends to fight the decision he alleges was made by the board “with malicious intent.”.“My lawyer’s putting together a letter. We don’t recognize the unlawful breach of our own bylaws by this board,” he told the Western Standard Tuesday..“It’s truly pathetic how these individuals behave like our prime minister (Justin Trudeau), unilaterally moving against our constitution, our bylaws in this kangaroo court where they don’t bring up any specifics or charges.”.Hinman claimed the board didn’t follow the “proper process” in which party bylaws call for “investigating and requesting information from my side.”.“It’s the equivalent of a policeman or sheriff handing out illegitimate tickets,” he said..Party President Rick Northey said the board is “working on a statement” to send to the membership..“Everything has to go through legal counsel now.”.“I have no personal comments at this time,” said Northey..A recent Fort McMurray La-La Biche byelection report alleged there were “financial irregularities” and failure to follow Elections Alberta (EA) and party rules leading up to the March 15 byelection..The report stated that while Hinman didn’t contravene EA campaign finance rules, he was in “conflict of interest” when he transferred campaign funds to pay himself..Hinman maintained he was following an agreement regarding his salary made when he took on the permanent role as party leader..At issue also was Hinman’s failure to provide a detailed account of campaign funds spent, according to the board..“I kind of equate this to the CRA appearing at your house wanting to confiscate anything you have on February 1 when your taxes aren’t due until April 30 and saying ‘You haven’t file your taxes.’”.“Well, I don’t have to file anything until July 16 with Elections Alberta. I was going to present to our members at the AGM, all information of the funds and how they were spent in Fort McMurray.”.A WIPA AGM is scheduled for July 23..At least 22 constituency association presidents rallied behind Hinman and fired off a June 26 letter to the board demanding it “cease and desist” actions underway to oust their leader..The CA president said the board overstepped its authority and had no jurisdiction to remove the party’s “duly elected leader.”.They warned that they wouldn’t recognize actions to remove Hinman on the grounds that this would contravene party bylaws..The CA intends to challenge the decision at next month’s AGM, said Gord Elliott, vice-president of Policy and Governance for Calgary-North West..“We do have the AGM. Half the positions on the board are up for election. I’m running to be the secretary of the party. My wife Marilyn is running to be the Calgary regional director,” said Elliott..“It’s really sad that it’s come to this. People support the leader. Nobody knows who the people on the board of directors are. We’ve got to work to elect a whole bunch of new directors at the AGM who will see the right course forward.”.“I only left the United Conservative Party back in January. The reason I did join this party was because of Paul Hinman. I’ve known him for quite a few years. He’s an honest guy, a sincere guy.”.Elliott believes the great divide in WIPA is not so much the result of a “philosophical difference” between Hinman and the board of governors. “It appears to be a power struggle.”.The provincial election will be held next May 29.
