Summary of procedures & results

Allegation #1

Lancaster stabilizers were loaned to British entity per City Council and were due to be returned but do not appear to be returned.

Procedures and results:

# Procedure Results
1.1 Acquire evidence as to who owns the Lancaster asset

IA inquired with the management team regarding evidence as to who owns the Lancaster plane. Management indicated that the City owns the plane. Evidence such as City Clerk documents, council approval to set up restoration bank accounts, media coverage and length of possession were used to corroborate the City’s statement of ownership.
IA obtained documents from the City Clerk and noted

- There is a City Council resolution providing management the approval to purchase the Lancaster Bomber in May 1964.

- There is a City Council resolution approving the creation of a bank account for use in restoration of the Lancaster Bomber.

- The City has had possession of the Lancaster Bomber since 1964.

- The Lancaster Bomber is housed at the YQG airport in space leased to the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association (CHAA).


Anecdotal evidence was also noted through internet research where media sources and the City indicate that the City owns the aircraft in question.
IA visited the CHAA facility on January 10, 2019 and confirmed the existence of the Lancaster plane. Pictures of the plane were taken at this time.

1.2 If the City is the owner, what is the expected use/plan

IA inquired with the management team regarding the expected use/plan of the Lancaster plane. Management indicated that the purpose and intent was to ensure the Lancaster's preservation and restoration as a community aircraft heritage for exhibit purposes only.
IA inspected the agreement between CoW and CHAA for the preservation and restoration of the Lancaster plane. IA noted from the agreement:

 

- The plane was originally deteriorated and in unstable condition, hence wasn't suitable for exhibit

- The preservation and restoration plan was divided into specific phases namely: Assessment, Forward Fuselage and initial Restoration Tasks, Fuselage Centre Section Reconstruction, Fuselage Reconstruction, Outer-wings and other components. and Final Assembly.

- The document states clearly that the restoration and preservation is for the Lancaster to improve in condition for exhibit purposes as a community heritage (the plane is not intended to fly..
1.3 Acquire evidence of who decided to send stabilizers to the UK.
Inspect council minutes where the stabilizer item was debated/decided. 		IA inquired with management as to the CoW Lancaster's stabilizers status and location. Management indicated the following:
The stabilizers have been sent to the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the UK for potential use in flying one of the RAF’s operational Lancasters which requires a pair of stabilizers. The CoW's Lancaster is not flight worthy, and the restoration plan is for exhibition/display (not flight), hence operational stabilizers were not critical to the restoration. Council approved the dispatch of stabilizers to the RAF. There is an