Healing walk Special fundraising event supports ALS patients Page A3
NEWS: Candidates seek party nod for byelection /A5 ARTS: Latin film week shows unique perspective /A19 SPORTS: Langford hosts Canadian rugby test /A21
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A tough road ahead The Land Conservancy, faced with a huge debt, looks at ‘bold and innovative’ ways to fix problem
Daniel Palmer Reporting Supporters of The Land Conservancy are holding their breath to see how the B.C. nonprofit will weather the worst financial crisis it has faced in its 15-year history. TLC, which owns and manages 300 protected properties worth $32 million across the province – including Sooke Potholes and Madrona Farm in Saanich – is currently undergoing massive restructuring after its bank accounts were temporarily frozen by Canada Revenue Agency last month for unpaid taxes. The federal agency has since released TLC’s accounts, allowing staff to be paid and freeing up $23,000 for an immediate tax payment. It now faces the difficult task of rebuilding trust with its 8,000 members while trying to woo
more, and must navigate its way through a short-term debt repayment plan with minimal revenue options. “We have faced difficult financial situations before, but the current economic situation demands we take an innovative and bold look at the way we do everything,” said Al Craighead, TLC board chair, and Kathleen Sheppard, acting executive director, in a joint statement. Sheppard took over when founder Bill Turner retired in June. The organization’s financial problems were apparent as far back as 2009, when internal disagreements boiled into the public sphere. Internal critics at the time said Turner had been too focused on acquiring properties without due concern for stretching TLC finances too thin. Proponents of Turner cited the necessity to respond quickly to new opportunities, while Craighead and Sheppard said TLC’s acquisitions have saved “properties of natural, cultural and agricultural significance when others said it was impossible.” PLEASE SEE: TLC hopes, Page A12
Sharon Tiffin/News staff
‘Shear’ determination Matt Ashmead checks his foothold as he makes it up the rock face at Fleming Beach. Ashmead has been climbing for about three years.