A news release at the Royal Canadian Mint's website reads as follows:

"An unprecedented demand for gold in 2008 has led to an unreconciled difference between the Royal Canadian Mint’s financial statements and the physical count of precious metals. As a result, the Mint is conducting an extensive review of its accounting and other transactional entries through an audit by an external auditor. Once finalized, the findings of the report will be made public on this website.

In order to pursue all possible avenues of review in a timely fashion, the Government of Canada requested that the Mint request an RCMP investigation. The Mint has contacted the RCMP and will fully cooperate with authorities.

Please rest assured that the Mint will continue to provide its customers with the same high quality products and services that it has always delivered."

Ahem! . . . The Mounties always get their Man!