The Regina Optimist Dolphin Swim Club was struck from Saskatchewan's corporate registry three weeks ago, according to documents obtained by CTV News.
The Ministry of Justice says the club was deregistered after it didn’t file its annual financial statement, despite repeated warnings to do so.
“We give the initial reminder four or six weeks before the filing is due, and what happens is when the due date comes about, we’ll then provide a second notice, which is basically the final notice, which states that we haven’t received the filing and we’ll give you four more weeks and if we don’t receive it by that time, you’ll be struck,” said the justice ministry’s Amin Bardestani.
If a corporation is deregistered, it can’t legally continue operating in Saskatchewan. But a charity like the Dolphins can continue operations, though it won’t have access to certain types of assistance.
Parents of some of the swimmers told CTV News they didn’t know the club hadn't filed financial statements with the province.
“We’re pretty shocked and we don’t know what to do,” said Connie Wagner.
“We’ve received no information from our board. We’re pretty stunned and we’re worried about what’s going to happen to our kids on Monday.”
It was concern about financial statements that convinced former member Andrea MacMurray to anonymously fax the club's auditor.
However, she was identified as the tipster by a police officer using surveillance cameras at the Cornwall Centre shopping mall. that officer is now on administrative leave, pending the results of an investigation. Meanwhile, the province says the ball is now in the swim club’s court.
“We don’t take any additional steps to seek restoration once a non-profit has been struck,” Bardestani said.
“We don’t know the story.”
Based on a report by CTV Regina’s Dale Hunter
