The Penticton Indian Band is allegedly at risk of breaching its agreement to lease lands to an upcoming Nissan car dealership, as turmoil within PIB ranks turns to litigation.
A lawsuit filed by the PIB alleges six former councillors, including former chief Jonathan Kruger, are blocking the band香蕉视频直播檚 ability to appoint new directors of its corporations and its ability to run day-to-day operations.
Historically, the eight band council members and the chief would each hold two shares in the Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation and its six subsidiary companies, and upon the election of a new council, a resolution is passed to direct the nine former councillors to pass their shares onto the incoming council.
Related:
But on June 23 this year, councillors voted in favour of a resolution that directed the shareholders 香蕉视频直播� made up of the former council 香蕉视频直播� to Chief Chad Eneas, according to a lawsuit filed by the band on Thursday.
香蕉视频直播淭he idea was that this would provide the current council with proper time to consult with the band membership to determine whether a new shareholder structure could be established that would better protect the true shareholders of the PIB,香蕉视频直播� the lawsuit reads.
Of the former councillors, Timmothy Lezard, Inez Pierre and Clinton John George reportedly transferred their shares to Eneas. However, Kruger, Kevin Gabriel, Clint Gabriel, Travis James Kruger, Dolly Catharine Kruger and Joseph Pierre have not transferred their shares, according to the lawsuit.
Related:
Of the six that did not transfer their shares, just Jonathan Kruger and Joseph Pierre were re-elected.
Since the June resolution passed, Jonathan Kruger and Timmothy Lezard resigned from council, while Joseph Pierre, Denise Lecoy and Naomi Gabriel resigned prior to the resolution passing.
香蕉视频直播淏ecause the defendants had each neglected or refused to execute and deliver their instrument of transfer, on Aug. 25, 2017, a formal demand was sent by PIB香蕉视频直播檚 general counsel to the defendants,香蕉视频直播� the lawsuit said.
香蕉视频直播淭he demand required that each of the defendants forthwith execute their instrument of transfer to resign as bare trustee shareholder of the PIBDC.香蕉视频直播�
Related:
Among the issues that arise from the failure of former councillors to transfer their shares, the PIB cited the inability to appoint a new director of the PIBDC and its subsidiaries.
香蕉视频直播淐hief Chad Eneas cannot appoint a new director and as a result, the ability of the PIBDC and PIB companies to operate has been placed at a standstill,香蕉视频直播� the lawsuit said, adding a lack of a director means no new signing authorities can be appointed.
香蕉视频直播淲ithout signing authorities, it is impossible to operate the daily business of the PIBDC and the PIB companies.香蕉视频直播�
In particular, the band points to a joint project with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to do roadwork at Highway 97 and Skaha Hills Road, set to start on Oct. 5.
香蕉视频直播�(The work) cannot move ahead because PIBDC does not have the ability to appoint an administrator to execute and deliver tender documents.香蕉视频直播�
Related:
The PIB also says lacking appointees in PIB Holdings Ltd. complicates the company香蕉视频直播檚 dealings with the Government of Canada and the Canadian Pacific Railway over the transfer of traditional lands.
The band also claims that could mean the PIB would soon been in breach of its agreement to lease lands for an upcoming Nissan dealership.
香蕉视频直播淥ne of the PIB companies (Westhills Aggregates GP Inc.) is required to provide a water connection to the leased company,香蕉视频直播� the lawsuit says. 香蕉视频直播淎s a result of having no director or proper signing authority, Westhills Aggregates GP Inc.香蕉视频直播檚 operations are at a standstill and it may not complete the work that the lessee requires.香蕉视频直播�
The PIB also claims being unable to operate the affairs of the corporation and its companies 香蕉视频直播渨ill only serve to erode public confidence in the PIB, and has the potential to set the PIB back on its path to autonomy.香蕉视频直播�
No response has yet been filed on behalf of the defendants.
Related:
dustin.godfrey@pentictonwesternnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
