Enough spent already on angryphones

Enough already. It's time Canadian Heritage looked into the financing of Alliance Quebec and found out exactly where $634,000 of taxpayers' money is going.

The organization that claims to represent anglophone rights has, in effect, become an extension of its newly acclaimed president's law practice and a social club for aging, resentful Equality Partyers who are still bitter about stop signs that say Arrêt.

With its petty infighting and confrontational reputation, AQ is way past its best-before date and has become more of an embarrassment than ever. And with fewer than 4,000 members out of a province-wide anglo population of 800,000, whom exactly does it represent?

It's time these tiresome dinosaurs, who continue to believe anglophones are a community under siege, be put on a shelf. The next generation of anglos, while having legitimate concerns about having adequate language skills to establish careers here, are bilingual, if not trilingual, and are happy to live in a French environment.

When it comes to dealing with such issues, though, they'd rather do it through peaceful negotiation with the French majority than strong-arm tactics and lengthy, costly court battles that have become the hallmark of AQ.

I'm not an accountant, but simple addition suggests taxpayers' money is being spent on a cushy, downtown office ($70,000), 13 staffers collecting salaries and benefits ($470,000), office supplies, telecommunications and a convention ($54,000), and another $50,000 doled out to the various chapters around the province. That adds up to $644,000.

Staff members have fancy titles like education consultant, health and social-services director, director of community outreach, community and political co-ordinator, but what exactly do they do?

There's no indication in the organization's most recent news magazine, whose cover photo is a bizarre shot of president Brent Tyler cuddling his puppy.

Inside, there's a list of so-called initiatives, which reads like the Brent Tyler show: statements made by Tyler, press conferences held by Tyler, briefs given by Tyler. All Tyler, all the time.

After speaking over the past few days with several seemingly sensible, intelligent people who have been involved and have become disillusioned with the imploding organization, the overwhelming picture that emerges is one of a megalomaniac who has effectively quashed any opposition, ensuring himself the presidency and full control.

Some even likened it to a cult. Anyone who speaks out against the leader is ousted.

It seems Tyler has angered so many people with his bullying tactics, if given a report card, it might very well say: "Does not play well with others."

He has stacked the board of directors with his supporters, thus ensuring himself a $50,000 stipend - double what past presidents were entitled to but never actually accepted. He takes on legal cases for which the organization raises money.

Employees who disagree with him are either let go or made to feel uncomfortable to the point they can't take it any more and leave. He has hired two bodyguards whom he says are paid out of his pocket; others say AQ is footing the bill.

Tyler, like most narcissists who don't take well to criticism, is blaming the media for his woes. He says we're going after him because it sells newspapers. Well, he's wrong. It's boring, petty crap that no one cares about and I even thought twice about wasting ink on AQ.

But what people do care about is their tax dollars being wasted by a bunch of has-been angryphones who claim to represent them, but don't.

After 20 years, it's time to stop. You're embarrassing us.

- Sue Montgomery's E-mail address is smontgomery@thegazette.southam.ca.