Deadlines!

Often, people like to think that the year-end for people of the north is December 31. But it’s really March 31!

Yes, it’s that time of the year when all budgets must be expended, all holidays must be taken and all business must be concluded. Then, the new year rolls in with a new budget. But for some people, they would never know the difference because none of this actually does make a difference. Days go by, nights get shorter, summer rolls around and the spring goose hunt has come and gone.

For many businesses and community organizations, it’s a flurry of last-minute spending, trips that needed to be made, jobs that need to be created (again) and summer students to hunt down so that regular workers can take more time off and traipse down south. It’s the time of year when renewal seems to occur, just like the buoyant spring in the bank account that happens for many around this time of year.

Alas, for the hard-working office people, who must bear the brunt of the auditors’ eyes and lingering forays into the expenses, it’s quite the thing to witness. Auditors roll into the offices and voilà, spring goose break. An opportune time to get work done without having everyone hounding you every minute of the day.

Yes, for ordinary guys like me, it comes as no surprise that deadlines must be met and respected more than what is called for in other situations, like kissing the ring of the Pope or local mafia don and honouring occasions with spilled blood. No, nothing like that, but it sure feels that way. Deadlines are not to be laughed at because they tend to turn around and bite you in the butt just as you are ready to sit down and watch the news on the big screen.

Nope, if it comes to a reawakening in communities it’s right about now, before the fiscal year ends. Let the new year begin with a new budget and plenty of funds to go around! Happy New Fiscal Year, everyone – including you auditors out there!