East Coast Music Association posts plan to address transparency concerns amid boycott

Jeremy Dutcher speaks after winning the Polaris Music Prize at Massey Hall in Toronto on Sept. 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paige Taylor White

The East Coast Music Association has issued a six-point action plan to address demands for greater transparency and representation that have led some to boycott its marquee event.

Organizers of the East Coast Music Awards say they are committed to addressing their members’ concerns after multiple musicians declined their nominations to protest the non-profit’s direction.

That includes leading nominee Jeremy Dutcher, who said earlier this month he is among those skipping the awards gala May 8, part of a five-day conference in St. John’s, N.L.

In a post to the ECMA website, organizers say they are “committed to moving forward together” with plans to involve three association members in the hiring process for the next CEO, as well as create a member advisory group to the board for strategic planning.

The six-point plan also includes a pledge by the board to create an advisory committee on equity and inclusion issues.

Internal divisions went public last fall when founding director Sheri Jones launched a petition that alleged then-CEO Blanche Israel made key decisions without board approval and adequate transparency.

Israel was subsequently ousted in January, which sparked objections from some members who believed she addressed much-needed diversity and inclusivity issues.

In the plan emailed to members earlier this week and posted online, ECMA says it intends to create a “transparency policy” to foster “accountability and trust,” to hold a panel discussion on equity and inclusion issues at this year’s conference, and set up an area there for members to share their vision for the organization.

“These actions are the beginning of a larger effort by the ECMA to rebuild trust, strengthen governance and to ensure the continued celebration of the best of East Coast music,” the group states on its website.

“The ECMA board is committed to open communication and will provide regular updates on the progress of the six-point plan to ensure transparency and accountability.”

In the weeks since Dutcher backed out of this year’s ECMA event, several other musicians have also pulled their participation.

Halifax-based guitarist and composer Sam Wilson told The Canadian Press that the recent controversies led her to ask organizers to remove her two nominations in the instrumental and jazz release categories.

Earlier this week, Acadian act Baie made a post on Instagram saying they were dropping out of awards celebrations in solidarity with other members over issues that include cultural and linguistic representation.

By Cassandra Szklarski

— With files from David Friend in Toronto.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 26, 2025.