A Community Member Asked Questions at an AGM — He Was Banned for 2 years.

Deepak Walia, a community member, SWCC Table Tennis Convenor, volunteer, and 2024 election candidate, has been banned from the South Winnipeg Community Centre (SWCC) for two years.

This action was taken under the leadership of President Jennifer Shah and the board.

His “offence”?

👉 Raising questions at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) — the very forum meant for accountability — about election transparency, governance, and use of public funds.

⚠️ What Did He Raise at the AGM?

Following the 2024 SWCC elections (overseen by General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres), Deepak — along with other candidates — asked basic, reasonable questions at the AGM:

Why were the election results never released?

Why were candidates and scrutineers not allowed to observe the vote count?

Why was there no ballot reconciliation transparency?

Why were the ballots destroyed?

How can SWCC hire Scott Montgomery into a lucrative paid leadership role (Executive Director) while he was still serving as a volunteer board member (Baseball Convenor), and a close associate of President Jennifer Shah?

How can an individual be hired into a management position despite prior misconduct concerns and unresolved financial issues related to SWCC funds?

👉 What election anywhere operates without scrutineers and basic transparency — and then destroys the ballots?

 

🚪 What Happened on Election Night?

Witness accounts raise serious concerns:

Vote counting was conducted behind closed doors

Candidates and scrutineers were removed from the premises
Jennifer Shah (incoming board member) and Meetu Sidhu (incoming board member) were present near and guarding the counting area doors
After counting, only Jennifer Shah was allowed inside, where results were disclosed only to her by GCWCC, as she was leading the incoming slate.
Other candidates were never provided official results or breakdowns

👉 This creates a serious lack of independence and transparency

🗳️ Ballots Destroyed:

In the first board meeting after the election, a motion to destroy all ballots was passed, moved by Jennifer Shah. This can be verified by accessing publicly available December 2024 board meeting minutes on SWCC website

👉 This raises a fundamental question:

If the process was fair and transparent, why eliminate the only evidence?

This removed any possibility of:
Verification, Recount and an Independent review

📸 Public Display & Privacy Concerns:

Following these events, Deepak’s personal photo (taken from Facebook- without his permission) was displayed internally at the community centre as part of the ban notice.

This raises serious concerns:

Why publicly display a community member’s image in this manner?
What about privacy, dignity, and proportionality?
Does this create a chilling effect on others speaking up at AGMs?

👉 This goes beyond a ban — it impacts reputation, family, and personal dignity

 

📊 Not Just Elections — Accountability Questions:

At the AGM, Deepak also raised concerns regarding:

Operational transparency and Financial accountability of a publicly funded community centre

These are exactly the kinds of questions AGMs are meant for.

 

🚫 From AGM Questions to a 2-Year Ban

So, what did Deepak do:

Spoke at the AGM
Sent emails
Used formal complaint channels

Instead of answers, he received a 2-year ban.

⚖️ Lack of Due Process (Natural Justice):

The decision to impose a 2-year ban raises serious concerns about fairness:

-No opportunity was given to respond or clarify

-No witnesses or independent review were considered

-No formal hearing or transparent process

-No right to appeal was provided

👉 These are basic principles of natural justice that any fair and accountable organization is expected to follow.

👉 This creates a chilling issue:

asking questions at an AGM → facing consequences

⚖️ Why This Matters
This is about: 
- Democratic rights at AGMs
- Election integrity
- Transparency in public institutions
- Protection of community voices

If this stands, it signals that even asking questions at an AGM can lead to consequences.

 

📢 Our Demands

Immediate reversal or independent third-party review of the 2-year ban on Deepak Walia

A forensic, independent audit of the 2024 SWCC election process

Full disclosure of:

-Vote count, Ballot handling and reconciliation and Election procedures followed

-Appointment of an independent external authority (City of Winnipeg or equivalent) to review:Election conduct, Governance practices and Use of public funds.

✍️ Sign This Petition

This is about democracy.

This is about accountability.

This is about your right to question — especially at an AGM.

 

If one voice can be silenced, all voices are at risk.