Like many organizations, the City of Richmond has a long-standing employee recognition program which includes long service and staff appreciation. One aspect of that program was the use of gift cards to acknowledge commitment and performance. The City ended the use of gift cards for individual employee excellence in the fall of 2024. The issuing of gift cards for employee long service and retirement recognition ended in the spring of 2025.

Recognizing and celebrating the contributions and achievements of individuals and teams remains an important part of the City’s employee recognition program. However, recognition programs for long service and retiring employees are being restructured and will no longer involve the use of gift cards.

During a comprehensive review of the program, the City identified inconsistencies in gift card purchases. The review determined the approximate total cost of gift cards purchased between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024 was $446,000. Approximately $151,000 of these were purchased over the past three years, with $120,000 distributed for long service/retirement, staff recognition, volunteer appreciation, and to support employee fundraising programs (i.e. United Way). Approximately $31,000 of remaining gift cards have been accounted for and are within the City’s Human Resources department.

The review found a total of approximately $295,000 of gift card costs remain unreconciled. As a result, the City is continuing to conduct a forensic audit of gift card purchases and has referred the matter to the RCMP. In addition, following a personnel investigation, an individual’s employment with the City has concluded.

Because this matter is the subject of an ongoing investigation, no further details can be shared at this time.