Members of Moose Jaw Pride, a nonprofit that supports queer people in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, voted unanimously to dissolve after learning of its extensive financial liabilities. As a result, the organization has stopped all of its services—which included bursaries for gender-affirming surgeries—and closed its vintage store, Rainbow Retro.
At Moose Jaw Pride’s annual general meeting on September 18, members voted to allow the board to dissolve the organization and liquidate its assets. The vote comes after board members discovered significant holes in its accounting and over $100,000 in outstanding debts.
“It’s certainly not … what any of us expected when we signed on to be volunteer board members,” said Moose Jaw Pride board chair Cole Ramsey to CBC. “We’re taking things a day at a time and dealing with things as we’re able to.”
At the meeting, the board told its members that liquidation and dissolution was the only way to address the organization’s financial responsibilities, according to 980 CJME, adding they believe the amount of debt will continue to grow as the investigation continues. Ramsey, in comments to CBC, said that while a large amount of money could theoretically save the organization, dissolution is likely.
Moose Jaw Pride cannot officially dissolve until its liabilities are addressed. For now, they have closed their thrift store, Rainbow Retro, and stopped delivering all programming and services. In the past, these included a bursary program for gender-affirming care, diversity and inclusion workshops and, according to Moose Jaw Today, Moose Jaw’s only warming centre during dangerously cold weather.
Ramsey said that the board became suspicious about their financial situation earlier this year, when they received an email alerting them to an overdue grant report. When they looked into their finances, the board found huge debts and significant gaps in their accounting.
“We did not discover until August 3, 2022, that we, in fact, had no accountant employed since 2020,” Ramsey told 980 CJME. “There had been no accounting work done in 2021.”
Ramsey told CBC that, during that time, monthly financial reports were delivered orally or not at all, with the excuse that the organization’s accountant had not completed them. Ramsey said that Taylor Carlson, Moose Jaw Pride’s executive director until his dismissal by the board last month, was responsible for the organization”s finances, and was the last person in touch with their accountant. Ramsey said that Carlson has now been reported to the police.
According to a balance sheet of the organization’s finances, dated to August 2022, Moose Jaw Pride debts include $90,000 in outstanding loans, over $9,000 in utilities and almost $3,700 in grants to be repaid, as well as a “photocopier” charge of almost $2,000. Its current assets, which include bank balances, cash, office furniture and a speaker system, are worth just over $15,000.
Amanda Farnel, a former board chair, told CBC that she was surprised by the news. “It’s disappointing, it’s an organization that I care for and is so important to our community,” said Farnel.
As a result of Moose Jaw Pride’s financial situation, its thrift store, Rainbow Retro, closed its doors on September 24. Nik Crawford, Moose Jaw Pride’s secretary, expressed their dismay in a note announcing the closure.
“Rainbow Retro started as an idea to become self-sufficient while providing a safer space and a needed service to our community,” said Crawford. “I got to watch as it became so much more than just that. The pride I felt and still feel about the impact that this space and this store created for Moose Jaw residents is overwhelming.”
Moose Jaw Pride is not the only Canadian Pride organization that has recently faced inquiries over its financial dealings. Earlier this year, Tom Hooper, a history professor at York University, conducted an investigation in Pride Toronto’s finances. He ultimately accused the organization of misleading the government, falsifying letters of support and exploiting queer and Two-Spirit Indigenous artists. An external audit confirmed that Pride Toronto had failed to meet the conditions of three federal grants—representing almost $2 million dollars—but did not address the other allegations.
While Pride Toronto remains active, it seems Moose Jaw Pride will not be so lucky. But Ramsey told CBC that he remains hopeful for the future of Moose Jaw’s queer community.
“It remains to be seen what form exactly that will take,” said Ramsey, “but there will be Pride in Moose Jaw.”
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