The financial bailout being sought by Orchestra London has struck a sour note.
It now appears to one city councillor the intention of the request has nothing to do with saving the orchestra, but is rather to shield its embattled board of directors from personal financial liability.
If no bailout is provided by taxpayers, board members could be held personally responsible for a big part of the organization's debt to the Canada Revenue Agency.
Penalties range from huge fines to even jail time.
It was the union representing Orchestra London technical staff that first sounded the alarm.
After union dues went unpaid, Terry Barker warned the orchestra's board of directors in November that other paycheque deductions may be missing.
"I said you should probably check with Revenue Canada because chances are you haven't paid CPP, EI or taxes," says Terry Barker, of IATSE Local 105.
On Monday, Orchestra London submitted a request for a $375,000 bailout from city hall, which includes $110,000 for unpaid payroll deductions normally sent to the Canada Revenue Agency.
The request states: "The board of directors was unaware that these amounts were unpaid. They represent priority payables."
But the question remains, a priority for whom?
London tax lawyer David Thompson explains that the Canada Revenue Agency could seek payment personally from each member of the orchestra's board of directors.
"Each director has personal responsibility for the whole amount, so they can go after one or all of them," says Thompson.
The Canada Revenue Agency tells CTV News that it, "Applies increasingly stringent enforcement actions, resulting in a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisoned for a term of up to 12 months."
So if individual board members could be held responsible for a sizable part of what's owing, it begs the question whether this bailout request of city hall is a bailout for the orchestra or a bailout for its board?
"I think its very telling that one of the things they've asked the city to pay is the payroll deductions that they have not paid," says councillor Phil Squire.
Squire points out that whether the bailout is provided by taxpayers or not, the orchestra's intention is to declare bankruptcy, leaving other debts unpaid.
"What they are looking for personally, the directors, is a bailout from the city of London for liabilities that will fall on them," says Squire.
Thompson adds the bill owing to the taxman keeps growing and growing for whomever ultimately pays it -- taxpayers or board members.
"Once you get to seven days late you are paying a 10 per cent penalty, and on top of that you are paying compounded interest," says Thompson.
The union is now working to find out what happens if some of its members apply for employment insurance or other federal benefits in light of the fact their payroll deductions weren't actually being forwarded to the government.
City council will listen to a presentation by board chair Joe O'Neill on Thursday afternoon before making a decision.
