Village of Empress demands apology from right-wing social media site for unfounded accusations of missing millions

Posted on September 19, 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Village of Empress is demanding an apology from a right-wing social media site, and says a misunderstood change in accounting procedures could be the source of unfounded accusations of missing millions at the village north of Cypress County in Special Areas.

At the Aug. 21 meeting of the village council, staffers presented an overview of their investigation into allegations detailed in “Bezirgan Media” questioning financial dealings of the village.

Specifically, staffers told council on Aug. 21 that changes in how reserves are calculated at the town’s gravel pit took place between the 2020 and 2021 financial statements, from total estimated gravel to the amount considered readily available for extraction.

The difference comprises a reduction of about 1 million tonnes, which would be valued at $3.16 million. That led to a change in assets without corresponding revenue.

“These numbers are very close to the numbers used in the allegations, and any difference could likely be attributed to a difference in conversion factors between cubic meters and metric tonnes,” according to the minutes of the meeting.

“Our findings have already been passed on to both the RCMP and (Alberta) Municipal Affairs.”

The audited financial statements were filed with province, but staff noted the change in procedure “was not adequately noted” in the accompanying explanatory notes.

Council also considered further legal action against the right-wing social media site which wrote about the allegations of missing revenue this summer.

Bezirgan Media has published an updated version of an article from July to note a letter from the village’s lawyer, Brownlee LLP, “demanding corrections, retraction and apology.”