
Taxpayer-funded gift card purchases in Richmond stretch back to last decade
Since January, Global News has been reporting on the excessive amount of money spent on purchasing gift cards in that city. At first, Richmond tried to say the cards were mostly for long service recognition.
But the numbers didn't add up. Richmond has since admitted $295,000 worth of gift cards are unaccounted for.
2:24
Richmond staff internal memo on gift cards
A forensic audit is now underway, along with an RCMP criminal investigation, and at least one employee has been fired.
Story continues below advertisement
Global News has now obtained documents through the freedom of information process showing gift card purchases for the years 2019 to 2022.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
The FOI request returned more than 1,000 pages of documents. We're still analyzing the numbers but can report some early findings. It's apparent gift card purchases were excessive those years.
Taxpayers bought cards for Lululemon, Cineplex, Netflix, Fairmont Hotels, Petro Canada, Indigo and numerous restaurants.
2:14
Richmond to audit decade of gift cards
Other examples include $200 dollars of Starbucks gift cards, with a note indicating they were 'office supplies.'
Taxpayers also bought Visa and Mastercard gift cards – essentially the equivalent of cash.
In one two-month period in 2021, over $4,000 of these cards were purchased in $50 and $75 denominations from drug stores, gas stations, and Best Buy. Each card had a $5 dollar activation fee.
Story continues below advertisement
Richmond previously said the gift cards were never reported to Revenue Canada.
Some cards were requested by the individual who was fired, but not all.
We're analyzing the numbers and will have more in the days ahead.
Meanwhile, Richmond RCMP say their investigation remains active and ongoing.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
Calgary stabbing sends man to hospital in life-threatening condition
Calgary police said charges are pending against two suspects following a stabbing in downtown Calgary on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Officers responded to the 0-100 block of Dermont Baldwin Way southeast, about 8:40 p.m., for reports of a stabbing and a robbery. View image in full screen Police say two people were taken into custody following a stabbing Thursday evening on Dermont Baldwin Way in downtown Calgary. Global News When they arrived, officers located a man suffering from what appeared to be stab wounds. He was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition. Story continues below advertisement A short time later, members of the Calgary police mounted patrol team located two suspects nearby and arrested them. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy One of the suspects also appeared to have stab wounds and was taken to hospital as a precaution. Investigators later determined that his injuries were related to an incident that occurred several days earlier. Officers continue to investigate and police say charges are pending. Anyone with information about the stabbings is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers.


CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Search for missing kayaker continues in Shediac area
Luc Bourgeois departed in a kayak from the Pointe-du-Chêne wharf near Shediac around 1 p.m. on Thursday and then disappeared. His family says he was going to fish for mackerel, something Bourgeois has done a few times already this summer. He set out with a life-jacket, cellphone and fishing rod from the wharf's boat launch on the Northumberland Strait . Bourgeois, 34, was reported missing about two hours later, when he failed to return to shore, according to New Brunswick RCMP. "He would've been last seen off the waters of Shediac somewhere between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.," Cpl. Andrew Paynter said. "When he didn't return … his family became concerned." WATCH | Search manager says volunteers are searching shoreline: Search and Rescue describes efforts to find missing kayaker 2 hours ago Bourgeois is described as being about five feet six inches tall and 170 pounds, with long curly brown hair, a beard and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black shorts, a blue and grey life-jacket, a Bass Pro Shops hat, sunglasses and black Under Armour sandals, according to police. Police say they have followed up on several leads but haven't been successful. Searching land and sea Bourgeois's family remained optimistic he will be found safely. His cousin, 22-year-old Chloé Allain, said his kayak was found along with his phone and life-jacket, but there was no sign of Bourgeois himself. On Friday, Tri-County Ground Search and Rescue volunteers were called, setting up a command base at the Caissie Cape wharf, a few kilometres west of where Bourgeois was last seen. "We were called at 10 this morning and we got here on site with our equipment about 11:30," said search manager Chris Collins. Collins said there about 20 search and rescue volunteers are participating in the effort, and they're conducting the search both along the shoreline and in the water with the help of three boats and a drone. Other agencies involved in the search include the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Canadian Coast Guard, and a search and rescue helicopter. By Friday afternoon, the RCMP's underwater recovery team had also arrived. "We're still actively searching and hopefully he managed to swim to shore somewhere or something and hunkered down for the night," Collins said. "So that's our tasking right now, is to find him and bring him home." Collins said the search would continue until nightfall on Friday, at which time RCMP would make a decision about next steps. "I'm assuming he's sitting somewhere fishing, and the kayak probably drifted away, so he's just waiting for us to come find him," Allain said. "He's going to come home safe. It's just a matter of time."


CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
SiRT terminates investigation into man's arrest, injury in Moncton
An RCMP detachment can be seen in this file photo. (David Prisciak/CTV News) The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has terminated an investigation after a man was injured during his arrest at the Lion's Club in Moncton, N.B. The man complained of wrist pain after members of the Codiac RCMP arrested him after being called to disturbance at the club on June 3, said a news release. The man went to the hospital where he was released the next day. Police received information that his right hand was fractured, but after investigating and reviewing medical records, they determined the injury wasn't serious. The director determined the incident did not meet the SiRT mandate. The investigation was terminated and the file closed, said the release. SiRT is responsible for investigating all matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault, intimate partner violence or other matters of public interest that result from the actions of any police officer, on or off duty, in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.