Five British Columbians have been named to the Audit Council overseeing the Auditor General for Local Government (AGLG), ensuring the independence of the office, announced Ida Chong, minister of Community, Sport and Culture.

The installation of the Audit Council is a crucial step toward establishing the autonomy of the AGLG. The Audit Council's first task will be to make a recommendation to the minister as to who should be appointed Auditor General for Local Government.

The Audit Council will also be responsible for monitoring the performance of the AGLG by reviewing and providing comments on performance audits, annual reports and service plans. It will also disseminate information about recommendations made by the AGLG.

The council is comprised of a broad mix of professionals from different parts of British Columbia with backgrounds in accounting, law, finance, business and local government. The five members appointed today are Anthony Ariganello (chair), J. Richard Heney, Donalda MacDonald, Lisa Payne and Timothy J. Wood.

Quotes:

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ida Chong -

"The key to the AGLG's effectiveness is its separation from government and an audit council of impartial experts ensures that independence. These five council members have an ideal balance of expertise, and I am fully confident that they will do an exemplary job both in making a recommendation and in overseeing the position."

Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard -

"I have always supported an Auditor General for Local Government as I appreciate the importance of scrutinizing how taxpayers' dollars are spent at every level of government. The appointment of the Audit Council is a step towards helping local governments to serve taxpayers better."

Heath Slee, Union of British Columbia Municipalities president -

"The Auditor General for Local Government needs to be independent in order to be effective. The Audit Council will safeguard the independence of the new Auditor General and ensure that the office works within the capacity set out in provincial legislation."

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 208-4028

BACKGROUNDER

April 25, 2012 Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

Audit Council of the Auditor General 2012 - Member Biographies

The Audit Council members named today are:

• Anthony Ariganello - chair

Anthony Ariganello is the president and chief executive officer for the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada. Previously, he was the president of Avon Canada Inc. Ariganello is a director for the BC Paraplegic Association and a former director with West Island Community Shares in Montreal. Previously, he served as a former chair of the Direct Sellers Association of Canada, former director of the Canadian Cosmetics Toiletries and Fragrances Association of Canada, and a former director of the Non-Prescription Drug Manufacturer's Association of Canada. Ariganello holds a bachelor of commerce in accounting from McGill University. In addition, he is a designated Certified Public Accountant (Delaware) and is a Fellow of the Certified General Accountants and the Chartered Certified Accountants (UK).

• J. Richard Heney

Rick Heney is a partner and lawyer with Fulton and Company LLP. Active in the community, he is a director, former vice-president, former president, and former policy chair with the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce; a member, former director, former secretary, and former vice-president with the Canadian Homebuilders Association in Kamloops; and a member of the Southern Interior Construction Association. Previously, Heney was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Kamloops, legal chair with the 2006 BC Summer Games Committee, a director and president with the Kamloops Bar Association, and a director with the Kamloops Family Resource Society. He holds his bachelor of physical education from the University of British Columbia and his bachelor of laws from the University of Victoria. In addition, Heney is an Electrical Gold Seal tradesman.

• Donalda MacDonald

Donnie MacDonald is the vice-president of finance and controller with Westminster Savings Credit Union. Previously, MacDonald was the assistant controller with Dillingham Construction. Active in the community, she has been a director and is currently chair with the North Shore Crisis Services Society, a member of the Financial Executive International Vancouver Chapter, former director of the Mortgage Backed Security Issuers Association, and former chair with the Certified Management Accountants of BC. MacDonald is a designated Certified Management Accountant and a Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants of Canada.

• Lisa Payne

Lisa Payne is currently the chief operating officer and vice-president finance for Colligo Networks. Before joining Colligo, she was acting chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the BC Innovation Council. Prior to this role, Payne was president of Aegis Mobility and president of Teraspan Networks. Active in her community, she currently is a BCIC Acetech mentor and director of the Focus Foundation. Payne is a designated Certified General Accountant.

• Timothy J. Wood

Tim Wood has an extensive background in local government. He is the retiring chief administrative officer for the District of Saanich (May 2012). Previously, he was the chief administrative officer for the City of Penticton and the clerk-administrator for the City of Cranbrook. Wood is a lifetime member and former president of the Local Government Management Association of BC. He holds a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of British Columbia and a master of public administration from the University of Victoria.

Contact:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 208-4028