Tories call in Mounties over mint’s missing millions
OTTAWA – The federal government has asked the RCMP to launch an investigation into the tens of millions worth of precious metals that have gone missing from the Royal Canadian Mint.
The announcement comes after an external audit was launched to reconcile the mint’s records with the physical stock of metals.
And it comes after the Star revealed today that the value of the missing metal was worth more than $10 million.
“I think we are all very concerned,” said Rob Merrifield, minister of state for transport, the department responsible for the mint.
Merrifield said he “instructed” mint staff today to call in the Mounties to assist with the ongoing audit, which has been under way since early March.
The external audit is trying to reconcile the mint’s records with the physical stocks of gold, silver, platinum and palladium, the four precious metals used by the Crown corporation in its production of coins and collector sets.
Mint officials remain confident that bookkeeping errors are to blame. But they haven’t ruled out theft and some at the institution now believe a police probe is inevitable if the review – due to be released in two weeks – is unable to provide good answers.
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MaryT Says:
This will probably come down to using wrong measurements, misplacing decimal points and very sloppy bookkeeping. How many times have new computer programs been put in there, or accounting programs. Considering that most kids today go thru school with no math skills and are not taught to think, a lot of them might be employed at the mint. Another thing with a computer, garbage in garbage out. No one seem to know what an answer should be, just assume the computer is perfect.
Who discovered the so called missing metals. And who is Joe V to complain, when he took money from dead people and very young children.
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Jack Says:
I think you’re right, Mary. Sloppy records and that is probably why the government is waiting. So they’ve now called the cops and what will the cops do?
They’ll wait for the final report just like everyone else.
Some days it doesn’t pay to get out of bed.
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Anna Keightley Says:
My former father in law worked at the mint for 27 years. The protocol for going in and out of there was s tringent to say the least. So, if the gold and silver was physically removed from the facility, cameras would show it for sure. What’s going on, one may ask?? The right questions should be asked, especially when they don’t pay.
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
cantuc Says:
Damn , I wonder if Mr I’m entitled to my entitlements kept a key to the back door ?
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Mac Says:
Interesting… So the investigation is hardly started but Mulcair is already accusing the Conservatives of being less than forthcoming… and Volpe figures the Conservatives should already have the answers.
Is there anything which can’t be spun into a partisan slap?
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
beentheredonethat Says:
Okay, so the MSM are the big time super cops here huh? So really then, who are the biggest thieves and thus suspects (Adscam) in ‘government’? The Liberals and their little army of minons (Ha)! What does the MSM do, point the finger of guilt at basically (by comparison) the Comissionaire checking passes at the parking lot. All of it, to make one laugh. Sit down, shut up and wait for it to unfold fools!
Posted on June 9th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Red Fox Says:
# 4
amn , I wonder if Mr I’m entitled to my entitlements kept a key to the back door ?
The first place to start in the police investigation should naturally be those past or present employees with LPC memberships.As history shows,one can never leave anything unattended when there is a liberal nearby .
Posted on June 10th, 2009 at 9:02 am
DWT Says:
# 4
amn , I wonder if Mr I’m entitled to my entitlements kept a key to the back door ?
LOL My first thought also. A forensic audit would determine the length of time the millions were missing. The “conspiracy theorist” in me is wondering if this loss has been carried forward for some time; when was the last audit done, and under the auspices of which government.
Posted on June 10th, 2009 at 10:45 am
MaryT Says:
I read a report on the last mint audit, where the liberal minister gave it a big heads up. It was around the end of the 90′s. Can’t find it now.
There are many possibilities for these missing metals. How does the product get to the mint. Did everything paid for actually get there. We have all read about the phony invoices re adscam.
Posted on June 10th, 2009 at 11:26 am