Demands arise for release of MANFF audit after feds cut funding

In the wake of a federal investigation, the government has pulled its funding from the Manitoba Association of Native Firefighters. Now there are calls for the full results of that investigation to be made public.

Michael Bruneau, owner of the Misty Lake Lodge, has a $3 million lawsuit against MANFF, claiming he wasn’t paid for rooms and food for flood evacuees.

"Our bills are detailed, their documented, their correct,” said Bruneau. "When any accountant comes to look at the paperwork he says 'Yes, this money's owed.'"

MANFF was responsible for sheltering evacuees displaced by severe flooding in 2011.

But the federal government transferred that responsibility to the Canadian Red Cross in February of this year.

Last week, the feds severed ties with MANFF altogether and cut its funding, saying the organization had failed to meet its obligations.

A summary of an investigation and audit says MANFF didn’t produce financial statements. “Bank reconciliations were not being completed during the 27-month period since the flood when approximately $90 million has been expended,” said the summary.

In addition, the report says a number of transactions were missing from MANFF’s financial records.

Bruneau thinks the public deserves to see the full report relating to the investigation and says that is the primary motivation for his lawsuit.

"They can write me a check tomorrow for the full amount and I will not accept it unless the report is released,” he said.

Calls to MANFF for comment were not immediately returned.