Religious Sect Members Who Obtained $12 Million Through Manitoba Government Contracts Run Companies Out of Co-owned Building, Records Show
Press Progress, Canada/July 12, 2023
By Emily Leedham
Members of a controversial religious sect who obtained over $12 million through emergency COVID-19 government contracts in Manitoba operate multiple businesses out of a building they own together, corporate documents reveal.
Acure Safety, Central Dental and Meditek are all Manitoba companies owned by members of the controversial Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. These three companies combined obtained millions in emergency COVID-19 contracts, according to Government of Manitoba records.
Acure Safety obtained two government contracts worth nearly $11.5 million for disposable isolation gowns.
Central Dental obtained three government contracts worth $287, 775.50 for nitrile gloves.
Meditek obtained one government contract worth $780,000 for emergency field beds.
Acure Safety, Central Dental and Meditek all share the same Winnipeg office building, 251 Saulteaux Crescent. This building is registered to North Moray Centre Inc, a holding company registered to the Brethren owners of Central Dental and Acure Safety, according to corporate records, as well as other individuals who appear to be Brethren members.
The Plymouth Brethren’s Universal Business Team
A business/management consulting company called the Universal Business Team also operates out of 251 Saulteaux Crescent. The UBT provides “advisory and group buying services” to a global network of “3,000 family businesses” run by Brethren members, according to its website. The UBT was listed as a top importer for hand sanitizer in Canada in 2020, according to the Canadian Importers Database.
The UBT is directly linked to another Brethren-run company, Klondike Lubricants, that obtained emergency contracts in Manitoba and Ontario. Klondike Lubricants obtained two contracts worth $70, 759 from the Manitoba government for hand sanitizer, and one $2 million contract for face masks from the Ontario government. Brad Mitchell, who co-owns Klondike Lubricants, is also listed as a director of Silver Bridge Funding Inc, a non-profit organization that has registered the name Universal Business Team.
Mitchell also has ties to the family of PBCC world leader Bruce Hales. Mitchell is listed as a director of Ox Tools – another company listed as a major PPE importer in 2020 – alongside Dean Hales, son of PBCC leader Bruce Hales, according to corporate records.
A copy of a 2015 Universal Business Team directory obtained by PressProgress reveals just how interconnected Brethren business owners are in Canada. The UBT directory features thousands of names across North America and includes regional maps by time zone and driving distances between municipalities.
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