ECMA parted with CEO over ‘serious risks’ to event, board says

Tara MacLean, centre, performs during the East Coast Music Awards in Charlottetown, P.E.I. on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Darren Calabrese)

The board for the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) says it parted ways with the former CEO last January over perceived “serious risks” to the event.

The ECMA board ousted CEO Blanche Israel, which prompted objections from some members who said she was helping the organization with diversity and inclusion. The backlash grew from there as many people called for more transparency from the organization.

Several nominees like Jeremy Dutcher, Wolf Castle and Stephen Hero withdrew themselves from the awards ceremony earlier this month.

The ECMAs board released a statement Wednesday that begins with the phrase, “We’re not going to sugarcoat it.”

“This has been a really difficult time for ECMA,” the statement reads. “There’s been frustration, division, and a lot of unanswered questions. You’ve asked us to be transparent and to listen, and we know we haven’t done enough of either. So, we want to be real with you.”

The board claims there were “legal risks” it couldn’t ignore and decisions being made without their approval. The board said it made the decision to “get things back on track” by parting ways with Israel, but expressed regret for making some members feeling blindsided by the move.

The board also admitted it didn’t do everything it could to set up the former CEO for success, calling leadership “a two-way street.” It said it now knows what to do as it looks for the next leader of the ECMA.

“We know many of you are upset,” the statement reads. “For a lot of members, the former CEO made you feel seen and heard, and that space for open conversations has felt missing in the wake of this decision. That was never our intention, and we recognize how important it is to rebuild that trust.

“We’re not perfect. We don’t have all the answers. But what we do have is a deep commitment to making ECMA better—not just for this event, but for you, our members, and for the long term.”

The East Coast Music Awards will be held at St. John’s, Newfoundland, from May 7 to 11.