Paddle Canada
PO Box 398, 446 Main Street West
Merrickville, Ontario KOG 1N0

15 October 2004

Dear Paddle Canada Member:

We thank you for your continuing support of Paddle Canada. We hope you have enjoyed a safe and rewarding 2004 paddling season. And we thank you in advance for a few minutes of your time as you consider the following appeal.

The purpose of this letter is to bring Paddle Canada's current financial situation to your attention, to note Paddle Canada Executive's commitment to resolving this issue at this time, and to request your support in resolving it.

Paddle Canada has had a balanced budget for the past three years. It has clearly demonstrated significant improvement in its handling of financial resources. The financial institutions with which Paddle Canada deals have confirmed this. But, Paddle Canada has a problem. Paddle Canada's "legacy debt" of about one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000) continues to consume a large proportion of Paddle Canada's disposable income, resources that should be going to better support the development and implementation of Paddle Canada instruction programs and the development and support of our many excellent instructors.

Legacy Debt?

Several years ago Paddle Canada Executive became aware that all was not well in Paddle Canada, and brought in an external consultant to review our business practises. The results were disastrous and called for an immediate change to our operations. As you may be aware, Paddle Canada went through a complete change of staff at that time, and since then has undergone major revisions with a specific focus on finances. The "legacy debt" was incurred due to staff changes, unknown legacy financial commitments, and previous accounting practises. For the past few years Paddle Canada has tightened its belts and explored new fundraising opportunities in an attempt to retire the legacy debt. The results are a balanced budget for the past three years and a line item in the budget to pay down the debt by at least ten thousand dollars this year. But for now, the legacy debt remains.

In addition, the property tax-free status, which the "Home for Canoeing" enjoyed for the first few years, has been revoked by a change in Provincial law. We have exhausted the appeal process for this change; Paddle Canada now owes about three years in back property taxes (about eleven thousand dollars). This was not envisioned when we built in 1996-97. Without the legacy debt maintenance charges, Paddle Canada could easily accommodate this cost.

Paddle Canada's improvement in financial performance to date is just not good enough to pay off our legacy debts. We need some was of removing the legacy debt noose from around our necks so we can get on with the business of supporting recreational paddling in Canada as it deserves. The current Paddle Canada Executive has assumed the responsibility to resolve the legacy debt problem during their tenure. We have concluded that there is no sense trying to dwell on what happened; that would only be costly and result in little. We go forward from here with courage and determination.

Kirk and Eric are asking for your consideration of Paddle Canada's situation and financial support at this time. Are you willing to help financially at this time? If so, please take a few minutes now and make out a cheque to Paddle Canada Legacy Debt Retirement Campaign and mail it to:

Paddle Canada
Attn: Treasurer, Legacy Debt Retirement Campaign
PO Box 398, 446 Main Street West
Merrickville ON K0G 1N0 CANADA

You can also call us toll-free at 1-888-252-6292 (Canada & US) to make your contribution.

If we all do a little, we can remove this problem.

Kirk and Eric have already made their contribution, how about you? All contributions will be recognized by a charitable receipt and acknowledgement on Paddle Canada web site and in KANAWA, Canada's Paddling Magazine.

If you have any further questions on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Further, if you have any helpful comments, please submit them to us as soon as possible.

Thank you for your consideration with regards to this matter.
We look forward to hearing from you.

Happy Paddling,

Originals signed by: