P.E.I. Lotteries Commission late for audit

The Opposition wants to know if the government is hiding something in financial statements provided late by the P.E.I. Lotteries Commission.

Wednesday during question period the opposition wanted to know why audited statements for the Crown corporation were not included in government's financial statements for 2012.

"This audit has been underway for months now. Minister, what are you hiding in the P.E.I. Lotteries Commission?" Opposition leader Steven Myers asked during question period.

Finance Minister Wes Sheridan assured Myers there was not an issue.

"I don't know what the honorable leader of the opposition is speaking of at this time, Madame Speaker, but I can assure Islanders and everyone in this house today that statements are always up to date," said Sheridan.

"The transactions that are inside the lottery corporation of Prince Edward Island is very minimal, at best, Madame Speaker. So when an audited statement is due, Madame Speaker, it will be prepared in due time and put forth forward."

The province's audited financial statements, however, made public in January, do not include audited figures for the Lotteries Commission, but only a note saying they weren't available as required under the Financial Administration Act

Auditor General Jane MacAdam said financial information from the commission was not delivered to her office until September, even though it was due in June. MacAdam said she sent a draft audit to the commission on April 3, but she iswaiting fora response. The Lotteries Commission also hasn't filed an annual report since 2009-2010.

The Lotteries Commission receives the profits due to the province from the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. It spends some of that money itself, passing on the remainder to the province.

The Opposition asked MacAdam Thursday to conduct a special audit of the commission. Myers is particularly concerned about an investment it made in the internet gaming company Roboreus, which operates the game Geosweep.

Myers accused the finance minister of breaking treasury board rules by investing $4 million in the online game, without getting cabinet approval. Sheridan said the rules were followed.

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