YMCA alleges theft by former employee

Ex-staff member denies taking $2.2M in government funds

- BRENDAN KENNEDY

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is suing a former employee alleging she orchestrated a kickback scheme that defrauded the charity and robbed taxpayers of more than $2 million.

The former employee, Christine Ruth Burns, is accused of conspiring with several others to steal $2.2 million intended for a jobtraining program funded by the federal government. In October 2023, she was criminally charged by Ontario Provincial Police with fraud, identity theft and uttering forged documents.

While working at the YMCA’s Richmond Hill office from 2015 to 2018, Burns allegedly co-ordinated a scheme in which several companies invoiced the charity to be reimbursed through the CanadaOntario Job Grant for training that never took place. Burns received “secret commissions” from the companies in return, the YMCA alleges.

In all, the YMCA’s statement of claim names eight individuals — including Burns’ husband, Thomas Patrick Burns — and eight companies as defendants.

The allegations have not been tested in court.

Burns and her husband denied the YMCA’s allegations against them in a joint statement of defence, saying they have “no knowledge of any alleged fraudulent scheme.” 

Burns and her husband did not respond to questions for this story.

A spokesperson for the YMCA said the agency was “unable to comment” because the matter is before the courts.