The next ECMA Awards are being held in St. John’s in the spring and while that’s normally a time of celebration, a recent petition shows that some members are very worried about the direction in which the organization is heading.

An online petition has been launched calling for “transparency and stability” following what are being called “sweeping” changes within the East Coast Music Association. Those changes have raised concerns among members and the broader music community. The petition points to “long-standing contractors with deep institutional knowledge” being “let go” and “significant modifications” to the awards application process.

The petition charges that the decisions were made without consulting the very people the ECMA exists to service, Atlantic Canadian artists, industry professionals and cultural stakeholders.

The new approach has left many members “feeling uneasy and confused” with a “lack of clear communication from the ECMA’s leadership.”

The petition is calling on ECMA leadership, including the board and CEO to provide a clear explanation for recent decisions and share a “comprehensive strategic plan that outlines the organization’s goal and priorities for the region.”