A key figure in the Centurion Project has stepped down from his role as president of the local chamber of commerce, following the group’s alleged privacy breach and subsequent investigation by Elections Alberta.
Tim Hoven resigned from his position as president of the Rocky Mountain House and District Chamber of Commerce in west-central Alberta earlier this week. This decision came after a court ruling that required the Centurion Group to remove an online database that Elections Alberta claimed contained private information of nearly 3 million Albertans on the provincial voters’ list.
Hoven, who had spoken at various Centurion Project events, clarified that his departure was voluntary and not due to any external pressure. In his resignation letter to fellow board members, he stated that he would step down if his personal views on Alberta independence ever interfered with the chamber’s operations.
The organic beef rancher from Eckville, Alta., emphasized that he has no official role in any pro-independence organization beyond delivering speeches. Despite being introduced as a co-founder at a recent Centurion Project event in Edmonton, Hoven clarified that he is not associated with the leadership of the group.
Following the privacy breach incident, Elections Alberta sent cease-and-desist notices to 568 individuals who either possessed or had access to the voter list obtained by Centurion. The RCMP and Alberta Privacy Commissioner Diane McLeod are conducting separate investigations into the matter, highlighting concerns about the potential impact on the privacy of millions of Albertans, including public figures and survivors of domestic violence.
While Centurion Project head David Parker denied allegations of receiving or distributing unauthorized voter data, chambers of commerce across Alberta have expressed worries about the implications of separatism discussions on the local business landscape. Michelle Meatheringham, the executive director of the Rocky Chamber, described Hoven’s resignation as a mutual decision reflecting the non-partisan nature of the organization.
Hoven, who previously served as the reeve of Clearwater County, continues to serve on the board of directors at Bow Valley Credit Union, which operates branches in southern and central Alberta. Despite being silent on advocating for Alberta’s secession, Bow Valley CEO Brett Oland has participated in events hosted by the Alberta Prosperity Project, a prominent separatist group, where he discussed potential currency options for an independent Alberta nation.