PINEHOUSE: (2020) Minister says: 'no audit' . . . . . !!

PINEHOUSE: (2020) Minister says: 'no audit' . . . . . !!

Postby Oscar » Mon Dec 10, 2018 12:50 pm

Minister Orders Inspection Of Northern Village Of Pinehouse

[ http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/n ... inspection ]

Released on December 10, 2018

Today, Government Relations Minister Warren Kaeding responded to concerns raised about the Northern Village of Pinehouse by announcing an immediate inspection of that municipality.

“All citizens of this great province deserve municipal governments that are open, transparent, and meeting the needs of the community represented by their locally-elected councils,” Kaeding said. “After great consideration, I am ordering an independent inspection of the Northern Village of Pinehouse.”

The inspection will focus on the Northern Village of Pinehouse’s practices related to Saskatchewan’s Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (LAFOIP); undertake an overview of the village’s general operations and business activities; and provide a high-level summary of the village’s financial situation and obligations.

Neil Robertson, a lawyer with more than 36 years of experience in municipal law and working with the public sector, will lead the inspection.

Following the inspection, a report will be compiled and delivered to the Minister of Government Relations, and the local council.

That report is expected to be delivered by Friday, March 15, 2019. -30-

For more information, contact:

Dan Palmer
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7151
Email: dan.palmer@gov.sk.ca
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Re: PINEHOUSE: Minister Orders Inspection Of Northern Villa

Postby Oscar » Tue Feb 25, 2020 8:48 am

Sask gov will not fully audit Pinehouse expenses

[ https://www.mbcradio.com/2020/02/sask-g ... e-expenses ]

by Dan Jones | Feb 19, 2020

Sask gov will not fully audit Pinehouse expenses

A report examining the financials of the Northern Village of Pinehouse is recommending a full audit of expenses from 2013 to 2017.

“We recommend that a full (i.e. 100%) forensic compliance review of expenses be completed to identify potential non-compliant items. We also recommend GOS [Government of Saskatchewan] consider expanding the forensic compliance review into prior years, as potential non-compliant transactions may exist prior to the Period of Review included in this report,” stated the report made public Wednesday.

“In light of this, the Ministry of Government Relations may consider extending the forensic audit to include the period 2013 to 2017.”

The violations are considered under the Northern Municipalities Act.

The report examined financial transactions for the 2018 calendar year and found of the $5.2 million allocated to Pinehouse, $518,098 were non-compliant, $2,439,375 was not properly authorized and $293,668 was undeterminable.

Yet despite the findings and recommendations Government Relations Minister Lori Carr said there is no need to further examine the financial of Pinehouse.

“No, I think that one of the things that are important to note here is that there was no wrongdoing, there was no evidence of fraudulent behavior on the amount of time they did the audit. So, going back would just be redundant,” Carr said.

In 2017, Mayor Mike Natomagan earned $160,900. $86,499 coming from his work with Pinehouse Business North, $40,933 from the Northern Village of Pinehouse, $20,466 in expenses and $1000 a month from both entities.

“Of the Mayor’s total remuneration the Auditors concluded that $61,400 was in compliant with the NMA,” the report noted.

The Auditors determined that Natomagan’s paid work for Pinehouse Business North was a violation. He has since informed the provincial government that he is no longer being remunerated by PBN.

Councilor Conrad Misponas was mentioned in the report for having worked as Chairperson of the Pinehouse Housing Corporation where he earned $80,000 plus expenses. The report found that a majority of Misponas earning were in contravention of the NMA.

Carr confirmed that Misponas is no longer being paid by the PHC.

Similar concerns were raised with Councilors Walter Smith and Betty Anne Durocher, which found a majority of their income, was deemed non-compliant with the NMA.

Yet a government spokesperson said “going forward, the village must ensure all financial activities (including those of its controlled corporations) are properly accounted for within the village’s financial statements, and reviewed by the village’s auditor.”

“We’re calling on the Minister of Government Relations to act immediately on the five recommendations from the September 2019 inspection. In particular, a full forensic compliance review of expenses is essential, including for previous years. Of the expenses examined, only eight per cent were found to be fully compliant with the law,” said NDP Critic David Forbes.

(Photo: Pinehouse Mayor Mike Natomagan.)
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