An employee has been fired and RCMP are investigating after a “financial irregularity” was discovered at a Saskatchewan provincial pasture.
A preliminary internal investigation has found that an estimated $20,000 is involved, said acting deputy agriculture minister Scott Brown.
The problem was discovered April 7 during a review of financial systems at Grainland pasture near Central Butte.
“The irregularities triggered a comprehensive investigation,” Brown said.
As a result, the long-time ministry employee was fired with cause July 3 and the matter turned over to RCMP.
Because the police are involved, Brown could not say exactly what transpired. The financial problems occurred over nine years.
He said a financial administration manual is in place and systems are routinely reviewed.
He confirmed that no pasture patrons lost money and no cattle disappeared.
The ministry expects a report from RCMP this week.
The provincial pasture system started in 1922 and includes 56 pastures covering 618,000 acres.
