The CMHR hasn't filed any financial reports for the past nine months. What are they hiding?
The
last advance from the federal government was turned over in
December. They were supposed to be collecting IOU's from donors
throughout the year to keep in the black.
Was there a problem with the collections? Is that why the museum is still not ready to open?
Was there a problem with the collections? Is that why the museum is still not ready to open?
They
made a big stink about holding the opening ceremonies the day before
the museum's announced opening date. But when that date (Sept. 20) came
around, they were nowhere near ready for visitors. Only 4 of 11
galleries were open to ticket holders, 9000 of whom were allowed in for
free because the museum couldn't charge admission to less than half
the exhibits.
Even
then, the 4 open galleries were still unfinished. Watching a CBC
cameraman zoom in on a plywood board screwed to a wall, with the
reporter asking a museum flak what was supposed to go there, was
priceless.
The
federal government is on the hook for at least $160 million for the
CMHR, although they will claim their contribution is only $100 million. The
federal and provincial government lost another $67 million in taxes
because the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a
registered charity and gives out tax receipts.
H/T to Dave Christianson, financial columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press who wrote this about the museum:
http://advisors.nbfwm.ca/en/teams/christianson-wealth-advisors/dollars---sense-articles/benefits-of-donating/
"And, since my newspaper contract requires it, let me tell you of the great tax benefits available to you by donating money or appreciated shares. Every $1,000 donated to a registered charity will generally save you $450 of federal and provincial tax. (The credit on the first $200 donated each year attracts a smaller credit, so combine all of the family donations onto one tax return.)"
"And, since my newspaper contract requires it, let me tell you of the great tax benefits available to you by donating money or appreciated shares. Every $1,000 donated to a registered charity will generally save you $450 of federal and provincial tax. (The credit on the first $200 donated each year attracts a smaller credit, so combine all of the family donations onto one tax return.)"
The Harper government quietly forked over $10 million in 2011
because the museum was almost out of money for construction. The
money was supposed to be for annual operating funds, but the museum
didn't need it for that purpose and got the okay to divert the money to
capital costs.
That's $10 million that won't be repaid.
That's $10 million that won't be repaid.
The feds handed over another $50 million in 2012
when the museum was flat broke and facing disaster. The money is
officially "an advance" to be "repaid" starting in 2016 from reduced
operating funding.
Yeah, like the CMHR will ever raise $50 million from admission fees and t-shirt sales.
Yeah, like the CMHR will ever raise $50 million from admission fees and t-shirt sales.
Maybe that's why the federal government is refusing to pay the equivalent in city taxes. The bill has grown to about $8 million over the past two years, equivalent to a two percent cut in your property tax.
CMHR president and CEO Stu Murray used to claim the museum would pay its tax bill. Reporters from the MSM don't ask him anymore.
It's a good thing, because he has no idea where he would find the money.
CMHR president and CEO Stu Murray used to claim the museum would pay its tax bill. Reporters from the MSM don't ask him anymore.
It's a good thing, because he has no idea where he would find the money.