The Lighthouse in Saskatoon has issued a news release indicating that the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal has removed a publication ban on information related to a court application filed a year ago in June 2021 by the organization’s board members.

In December 2021 the Court of Queen’s Bench ruled in favour of the Lighthouse board and removed Don Windels as executive director. That decision was appealed by Windels and the publication ban remained in place until today (mon).

However, the appeal court has not yet ruled on Windel’s appeal of the court ruling in December 2021 which removed him from his position.

Jerome Hepfner, Chair of the Board of Directors of The Lighthouse says, “We have been working for more than a year to address serious governance, administrative and financial issues at The Lighthouse.”  He says the publication ban impacted their ability to communicate openly with staff and supporters.

The December 2021 ruling which remains under appeal also included: The Lighthouse board has to hold a members’ meeting; that Twila Reddekopp and Ian Hamilton are to remain on the board for a period of two years and Jerome Hepfner for a period of one year.

As well, all board members and most senior managers are required to attend governance training within 90 days of the members’ meeting.

Hepfner suggests in the news release that the bylaws of The Lighthouse are archaic and irregular and prevented board members from doing their duties. He says members of the Board of Directors had to go through the courts to get an order in place so the Board could “effectively oversee the organization and its operations.”

One of the items outlined in the documents submitted to the court indicate, among some of the other financial concerns, Don Windels received a $60,000 loan from The Lighthouse to purchase a house.