Attaining and maintaining justice is not a job for someone else. If we are to live in a just world it is up to each and every one of us to play our part.

In order to take a realistic and fair view of has been happening within MAAC, we need to consider the entire process of governance and what we have the right to do and say about it.

Canada is a free country with the right to freedom of speech and expression of opinion. We are not Russia, China or other dictatorships.

In Canada, we are governed federally, provincially and locally. We may, or may not, like the governance but we can do something about it. We have the right to make public our views, to demonstrate peacefully and to vote. Most of us do vote, but apathy in the voting process can upset the apple cart. 

In Germany after WW1, when things needed to look better economically, Adolf Hitler found it easy, with loud rhetoric, and the blaming of innocent scapegoats, to gain complete control and the rest is history. Stalin and Mussolini also gained dominance by promises to keep the people fed.  Once in power, the pictures changed dramatically and freedom of speech was one of the first things to go. 

Now, we have to look at MAAC. We are, for the most part, in the hands of clubs, zones and the MAAC BOD process. Most of the members join MAAC for one reason, INSURANCE. In order to be insured, we are often encouraged to join clubs, which are affiliated to MAAC and thus, for most flyers, the majority of control lies in the hands of the MAAC BOD. We each do have the right to vote in the election of the individual board members – one for each of our geographic zones. Here comes the apathy factor. Comparatively few members attend zone meetings. Many simply assign blind proxies. As long as we can fly while insured, there is apparently not any real reason to get personally involved.  These elected BOD members, each referred to as a Zone Director, are often dedicated members of MAAC, but this is not always the case. All too often recently, these people when finding themselves at odds with the BOD management, have quit in disgust, most have then been replaced by appointment rather than election. Those doing the appointment can thus establish cliques of their own. Apathy at subsequent zone elections usually ensures that these appointed persons remain in control. Resignations have been rampant within the organizations. Nine Directors, including a President and a Vice President, an Executive Director, numerous Deputy, Assistant Zone Directors and committee chairmen have all resigned within the last year or so. A great many committee chairs remain vacant. 

It should be noted that the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (CNCA) specifically prescribes that members must be able to contact the rest of the membership on matters that are to be voted on at a general meeting. MAAC’s Board chooses to violate that legal requirement – which is the main reason that the MAACNews website was created.  The CNCA also specifies that any member may address a general meeting of members, in writing or in person, but that is also disallowed by MAAC’s leadership.

In Canada, our lives are fairly similarly controlled, other than there being fewer appointments in supposedly elected positions. Our rights to freedom of speech have a couple of effects. Firstly, because views become widely distributed, the general public becomes more aware of what is going on and this tends to reduce apathy in elections.  In addition people are free to speak, broadcast, print and distribute their views without reprisal. Demonstrations are permissible without interference as long as they remain peaceful and non-violent.  The general public are also free to contact any member of government at any time on any subject or to express criticism. This goes all the way up to the Prime Minister. It is not guaranteed that there will be a response, but there often is. Expression of views in speech or in print does not incur punishment.  

Canada observes the principles of justice. Before any charges are laid, a fair process of examination must occur, and all evidence must be revealed ahead of time.The person accused has the right to defend himself/herself, in person or by representation and trial shall be by unbiassed personnel. If guilt is found, the accused shall be notified of this prior to sentencing. In an appeal process, those examining the appeal are not those who conducted the trial. The sentence certainly would not involve the deprivation of Canadian citizenship (except possibly where any past association with terrorism is involved prior to receiving citizenship) or the removal of any rewards or accolades.

Now let us compare all of this to the current situation within MAAC. Freedom of speech and the publishing of views contrary to what the BOD wishes, is not permitted. Harsh reprisals result. MAAC members have been told that their opinions on governance of the organization are neither required nor encouraged. Any thoughts must be expressed only to the local Zone Director, who appears to be under no obligation to respond. The only other possible input shall be by submission in the form of recommendation or resolution at the annual zone meetings and it has recently been decided by the BOD that any submissions to a zone meeting require forty days of advance notice. Nothing may come from the floor of the meeting. In any form of democratic government this is unheard of and is a restriction on freedom of speech.

As regards justice and discipline, we have recently seen many instances of total travesty. Trumped up charges resulted, a couple of years ago, in the expulsion or suspension of at least two experienced valuable and honest zone directors. Most recently three more MAAC members plus one of the former two, have been expelled, without their even being aware that they were under investigation. No attempt was ever made to contact them before they were accused, then tried by a group that was anything but impartial, they were given no opportunity to represent themselves in person or by counsel, and were found guilty and sentenced. All of this for exercising  their rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly (they were accused of being part of a group of friends who discuss MAAC). Although they were offered the opportunity to appeal, strict and unreasonable time limits were imposed on this. No evidence was produced and the ‘appeal’ was to the very same group of people who had already found them guilty. The first thing any of the four knew of what was happening was a letter announcing their expulsion.

The sentences involved lifetime expulsion from MAAC ( which would be akin to a Federal court removing Canadian citizenship) and the removal of all previously granted awards and accolades despite these having been awarded long before the current administration was in power and all of which had been awarded for long and meritorious service to MAAC. All of these sentences were applied to long time members with very high credentials and considerable positive contributions to MAAC. 

It cannot be over emphasized that the victims of the injustice were amongst the finest people in our association, and who merely stood up for what they believed to be right and honest.

To all who read this, I suggest that you consider justice. For justice to prevail, it is necessary for everyone to support it. To simply say “I am not personally involved” or “It is none of my business” invites further abuses. It is your business, and you are involved, or soon will be.

MAAC was formed to serve, protect and encourage. It has always been there for the benefit of all, young and old, regardless of their individual interests within the hobby, whether locally or abroad and for sport or for competition,

MAAC was not formed as a dictatorship. History has proven how dictatorship can arise and wreak havoc.

If you agree with what is written here – MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.