Former exec at Lake Louise Ski Resort sentenced for not paying taxes on embezzled funds
Skiers at Lake Louise Ski Resort in Lake Louise, Alta., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says a Calgary man, who served as an executive at a prominent Alberta ski resort, has been sentenced for not paying taxes on more than $350,000 he stole from his employer.
Derek Kwasney, the former controller and chief financial officer of the Lake Louise Ski Resort Area Ltd. (LLSR), pled guilty on Sept. 26 to willfully evading payment on taxes by understating his income on his personal tax return.
On Nov. 12, the CRA said Kwasney was sentenced to 12 months in jail and fined $106,000 by the Alberta Court of Justice.
In a news release, the CRA said an investigation found Kwasney embezzled approximately $350,000 from LLSR in 2015 and 2016.
"Kwasney failed to report the misappropriated funds as part of his taxable income for the 2015 and 2016 taxation years, thereby evading more than $100,000 in federal income tax," the CRA said.
In addition to the above fine, Kwasney will also be required to pay the full amount of tax owing, plus related interest and any penalties, to the CRA.
"Tax evasion is a crime. Falsifying records and claims, wilfully not reporting income, or inflating expenses can lead to criminal charges, prosecution, court-imposed fines, jail time and a criminal record," the CRA said.
LLSR, in a statement to CTV News on Friday, said it is "satisfied with both the court's and CRA's decisions on the matter."
"The resort has moved on and is looking forward to a great season," a spokesperson said.
The CRA said that between April 1, 2019, and March 31 of this year, 135 taxpayers were convicted for evading payment of more than $44 million in federal taxes.
Convictions resulted in sentences of $25.1 million in fines and more than 108 years in jail.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Former soldier 'Canadian Dave' taken by the Taliban: sources
David Lavery, a former Canadian Forces soldier who helped approximately 100 people flee Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul, has been 'picked up' by the Taliban this week, according to multiple sources who spoke to CTV National News on the condition of anonymity.
Is Canada Post delivering mail today? What to know about the strike
With Canada Post workers on strike, many individuals and businesses are facing the challenge of sending and receiving mail. Here are the answers to some of Canadians’ most-asked questions.
Other countries seeking out advice from Canada ahead of Trump return: Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Donald Trump's return to the White House has boosted Canada's influence in the world as other international partners turn to Canada for advice on how to deal with him.
Tracking respiratory viruses in Canada: RSV, influenza, COVID-19
As the country heads into the worst time of year for respiratory infections, the Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report tracks how prevalent certain viruses are each week and how the trends are changing week to week.
Canada Revenue Agency eliminating nearly 600 term positions by end of 2024
The Canada Revenue Agency will be eliminating approximately 600 temporary and contract employees across the country by mid-December.
Montreal children's hospitals urging parents to avoid ERs
The two biggest children’s hospitals in Montreal - the CHU Sainte-Justine and Montreal Children's Hospital - are asking the parents to avoid bringing their children to the emergency room if possible due to a surge in patients.
Trump picks top campaign spokesman Steven Cheung to be his White House communications director
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has named Steven Cheung as his White House communications director, one of the top communications roles.
RFK Jr.'s to-do list to make America 'healthy' has health experts worried
U.S. President Donald Trump's pick of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services "is an extraordinarily bad choice for the health of the American people," warns the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.
More than 1 in 3 surgical patients has complications, study finds, and many are the result of medical errors
Despite decades of calls for more attention to patient safety in hospitals, people undergoing surgery still have high rates of complications and medical errors, a new study finds.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Edmonton
-
Woman charged in drowning of 5-year-old west of Edmonton
An Edmonton woman was charged in the drowning of a five-year-old girl last month.
-
Mother, daughter abducted southeast of Edmonton, man charged
A mother and her young daughter were abducted by a family friend in Viking, Alta., on Wednesday, RCMP said.
-
'Wasn't as clear as I could have been': Boissonnault sorry for Indigenous claims
Canada's Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault is apologizing after shifting claims about his Indigenous identity came under scrutiny.
Lethbridge
-
5 arrested, shotgun seized following Lethbridge bust
Lethbridge police say charges have been laid against five people in connection with a high-risk incident that unfolded at a motel on Thursday.
-
Shop of Wonders returns to bring holiday joy to Lethbridge children in need
With Christmas fast approaching, MyCityCare's annual Shop of Wonders officially opened for the season Thursday.
-
Deadline approaching for Lethbridge waste diversion report for businesses and organizations
Lethbridge business owners and organizations are being reminded the deadline for the annual waste diversion report is just around the corner.
Vancouver
-
Joly, Blinken push to get B.C. river treaty through Congress before Trump government
Top officials in both Canada and the United States are pushing for the need to finalize the Columbia River Treaty to manage water flowing between the two countries before the administration change in America.
-
Insurance bureau estimates $110 million in damages from October storms in B.C.
Intense flooding that hammered British Columbia's coast last month has led to more than $110 million in insured damage claims.
-
9 charges laid in Surrey jewelry store robbery investigation, RCMP say
A 21-year-old man is facing nine charges in connection to a robbery investigation in Surrey, RCMP announced Friday.
Vancouver Island
-
Insurance bureau estimates $110 million in damages from October storms in B.C.
Intense flooding that hammered British Columbia's coast last month has led to more than $110 million in insured damage claims.
-
Nanaimo nurse suspended for 'unauthorized access of patient records,' college says
A Nanaimo nurse has agreed to a seven-day suspension for accessing patient records without authorization.
-
Uber plans to expand service area to cover all of B.C. 'in early 2025'
Ride-hailing giant Uber says it plans to expand its service area to cover all of British Columbia next year, and it's looking for drivers to help it do so.
Saskatoon
-
Here are the headliners for Country Thunder Sask. 2025
Here are the headliners for the 2025 Country Thunder Saskatchewan music festival in the Craven Valley.
-
No injuries in Saskatoon garage fire
Saskatoon firefighters responded to a garage fire on the 100 block of Avenue U South Thursday night.
-
Riders' Milligan Jr., Hus, recipients of CFL Awards
Riders’ Rolan Millgan Jr. and Jorgen Hus were named award recipients at the 2024 CFL Awards on Thursday night.
Regina
-
'It's historic': For the first time, Regina city council will include 2 women of colour
Regina voters in two wards made history Wednesday night, electing two women of colour to serve on council for the first time in the city's history.
-
2 men charged with second-degree murder in connection to June homicide
Two men have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder following the investigation of a homicide that occurred on June 1 in Regina.
-
Riders' Milligan Jr., Hus, recipients of CFL Awards
Riders’ Rolan Millgan Jr. and Jorgen Hus were named award recipients at the 2024 CFL Awards on Thursday night.
Toronto
-
FBI releases new image of Canadian former Olympian sought on murder and drug charges
The FBI has released a new image of Ryan James Wedding, the Canadian ex-Olympian allegedly behind a deadly international drug ring.
-
Toronto couple fights over Taylor Swift tickets in divorce settlement
A Toronto couple bought two tickets to one of Taylor Swift's tour stops in the city, but unfortunately their love story didn't last and now they're fighting for who gets the seats.
-
Toronto to close some roads earlier than planned ahead of second Taylor Swift show
Multiple road closures and adjustments are in effect amid Toronto’s leg of the Taylor Swift era’s tour, including changes to road closure times.
Montreal
-
Montreal children's hospitals urging parents to avoid ERs
The two biggest children’s hospitals in Montreal - the CHU Sainte-Justine and Montreal Children's Hospital - are asking the parents to avoid bringing their children to the emergency room if possible due to a surge in patients.
-
Construction work in downtown Montreal to stop... for now
At long last, construction work on Sainte-Catherine Street in Montreal’s downtown core is taking a winter break, and with most of the underground infrastructure work completed, the city expects less disruptions in 2025.
-
Valerie Plante's successor to be chosen in March 2025
The successor to Valérie Plante will be announced next spring. Projet Montreal said the party's nomination race to find a new leader will open on Dec. 9 and run through Jan. 31, 2025.
Atlantic
-
Canada Post strike: Maritime provinces working to ensure vital cheques arrive
Thousands of Canada Post workers officially hit the picket lines Friday morning after negotiations with the Crown corporation on a new contract failed to be met by the strike deadline.
-
Liberals promise to build 80K homes, NDP promises to lower small business tax
As the Nova Scotia election campaign continues, the Liberals are promising to “deliver a better deal on housing.”
-
Nova Scotia ports welcomed more than half a million tourists in 2024
Nova Scotia welcomed more than 350,000 cruise ship passengers via the port of Halifax and more 210,000 through the port of Sydney in 2024, the Halifax Port Authority said.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba RCMP charge pool manufacturer Kurt Wittin with fraud
A Manitoba-based pool manufacturer has been charged with multiple counts of fraud following a lengthy investigation by RCMP.
-
Winnipeg driver rescues passengers from burning van
A Winnipeg driver was in the right place at the right time when a paratransit van caught fire Thursday morning.
-
Manitobans energized over CFL's Grey-Cup bound Blue Bombers, high-flying Jets
Oh, to be a Manitoba sports fan these days, with the Blue Bombers back yet again in the CFL Grey Cup -- and now the NHL's high-flying Jets are stomping all comers and breaking records.
Ottawa
-
Canada Revenue Agency eliminating nearly 600 term positions by end of 2024
The Canada Revenue Agency will be eliminating approximately 600 temporary and contract employees across the country by mid-December.
-
Sir Winston Churchill 'Roaring Lion' portrait returns to Ottawa's Chateau Laurier hotel
The "Roaring Lion" returned to the walls of Ottawa's Fairmont Château Laurier, nearly three years after the historic portrait of Sir Winston Churchill was stolen.
-
Ottawa resident ordered to pay $35,000 after 2023 forest fire in Renfrew County
An Ottawa resident has pleaded guilty to failing to keep a fire under control after a wildfire consumed almost 45 hectares of land on Centennial Lake in Renfrew County.
Northern Ontario
-
Police in Canada collected wreckage after object shot down over Lake Huron
Newly released documents show the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collected wreckage after an unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron in February of last year.
-
Senior charged with sex assault on a minor at a school in northern Ont.
A 72-year-old from Blind River has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault involving a victim under the age of 16.
-
Driver airlifted to hospital after Manitoulin Island motorcycle crash
A motorcycle driver who sustained serious injuries in a crash on Manitoulin Island on Thursday evening was airlifted to Sudbury hospital.
Barrie
-
Mother testifies about son's struggles before his death in Midland murder trial
Chris Forrester’s mother took the witness stand on Friday in the second-degree murder trial of a man accused of killing her son three years ago.
-
Police successfully capture emu on the loose
On Friday, Nottawasaga OPP officers successfully captured a two legged friend along Concession Road 4 in Adjala-Tosorontio.
-
Man suffers with signs of hypothermia after water rescue
One person was left with signs of hypothermia after being rescued from Kempenfelt Bay in the early hours of the morning.
Kitchener
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries
Canadian Union of Postal Workers said approximately 55,000 workers are striking, claiming little progress has been made in the bargaining process.
-
FBI releases new image of Canadian former Olympian sought on murder and drug charges
The FBI has released a new image of Ryan James Wedding, the Canadian ex-Olympian allegedly behind a deadly international drug ring.
-
W5 Exclusive
W5 Exclusive Police bust reveals stolen vehicles en route from Canada to Africa – with reprogrammed key fobs
In part three of a CTV W5 investigation into how car thieves are able to drive off with modern cars so easily, correspondent Jon Woodward accompanied York Regional Police on a bust to find clues in one vehicle.
London
-
'The evidence was on graphic display before them': SIU concludes police committed no wrongs in death of Breanna Broadfoot's killer
An SIU report released on Friday has cleared London police of wrongdoing in the death of an 18-year-old man following a confrontation on the evening of July 16.
-
'They're running the neighbourhood': Kerwood couple says their community is overrun by cats
A couple in the Middlesex County village of Kerwood, west of London, says their neighbourhood has so many cats that it’s negatively impacting their quality of life - they say that their township, Adelaide Metcalfe, is allowing the problem to get worse.
-
62 charges laid against three people following bust in London
On Nov. 7, members of the London police Guns and Gangs Section and the Emergency Response Team, used warrants to enter addresses and vehicles on Pall Mall Street, Falcon Street and Adelaide Street north.
Windsor
-
Why these trees have been saved from the sprawling expansion of Highway 3
A memorial stone and oak trees have been protected from excavation along the corridor where the two-lane highway is expanding to four in Kingsville.
-
'All Canadians deserve to feel safe': Anti-hate funding expanded
The federal government has expanded a security program that aims to fight hate crime.
-
Additional charges laid against suspects in armed robberies investigation
Two men who were arrested in connection to violent armed robberies are facing additional charges.
