RDA ACCOUNTING RULES IGNORED

-------- Your tax dollars at work ---------

A reader asked about SWSDA accountants and here is what I know.

SWSDA claims to be an RDA. The SWSDA CEO's business partner (see YARCO listing with the Registry of Joint Stocks)Richard Hurlburt in an article defending SWSDA against a call for an independent audit a while back claimed that SWSDA provided audits like every other RDA. That was when Mr. Anderson's private partner was the Minister of the Department of Economic Development. ( I wonder if that is the private company that just had Yarmouth approve and pay for new water and sewage lines to the property.)

FACT # 1 - The Regional Community Development Act states:

"Records and statements

9 (1) An agency shall keep proper books of account and records, which shall be open to the public for inspection upon request.

(2) An agency shall annually cause the accounts of the agency to be examined and audited by a registered municipal auditor who may be paid such remuneration as the board determines."(my bolding)

FACT # 2 - Yarmouth accounting firm Wheelans White are and have been SWSDA auditors for more than a decade.

FACT # 3 - Last time I checked Wheelans White were not a "registered municipal auditor" in accordance with the Act.

Of course SWSDA might argue that they are not incorporated under the Regional Community Development Act. They are a society incorporated under the Society's Act.

SURPRISE .... SURPRISE..... THEY DON'T COMPLY WITH THE SOCIETIES ACT EITHER!

The Societies Act states.......

"Restriction if special legislation
(2) Where any Act, other than the Companies Act, provides for the incorporation of a society for a particular object, no society shall be incorporated under this Act for that object. R.S., c. 435, s. 3.

Since the Regional Communities Development Act provides for the incorporation of RDA's, SWSDA should not be incorporated under the Societies Act.

The rationale for ensuring that SWSDA remained a society was spelled out by Mr. Anderson in an interview in the Vanguard more than a year ago when he explained that SWSDA has chosen to be a Society because as a Society SWSDA was not obliged to provide the public with access to internal documents.

Justice Hood's Decision..... Priceless.......!!