Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, has released the following statement in response to a recommendation received from the Audit Council for the Auditor General for Local Government:

“Under the Auditor General for Local Government Act, I am required, as the minister responsible, to seek the Audit Council’s recommendation regarding the removal of the auditor general for local government. Pursuant to its mandate under the act, the Audit Council considered my request and subsequently issued a recommendation and resolution to remove the auditor general for local government.  

“The auditor general for local government’s obstruction of an intended review of her office has created an intolerable situation that compounds the unstable work environment and lack of performance from that office.  

“I believe removing the auditor general is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the office.

“Accordingly, I have therefore recommended to the Lieutenant Governor in Council that the auditor’s appointment be rescinded.

“The Audit Council will be recommending a qualified person to be appointed as acting auditor general for local government, pursuant to the act, for government’s consideration.”

The Audit Council’s resolution is attached as a backgrounder.

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 356-6334

BACKGROUNDER

Audit Council Resolution

Whereas under section 19 (1)(j) of the Auditor General for Local Government Act, the Audit Council is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the performance of the Auditor General for Local Government (AGLG), including, without limitation, the performance of the AGLG in respect of the annual service plan; and

Whereas under section 19 (1)(c) of the Auditor General for Local Government Act, the Audit Council is responsible for recommending to the minister suspension or removal of the AGLG; and

Whereas under section 21 (3)(b)(iii) of the Auditor General for Local Government Act the Minister has requested the Audit Council to convene a meeting to consider suspension or removal of the AGLG; and

Whereas under section 6 (2) of the Auditor General for Local Government Act, the Minister must consider the recommendation of the Audit Council under s. 19 (1)(c); and

Whereas the Audit Council wrote to Deputy Minister Becky Denlinger on February 6, 2015, in her capacity as the Minister’s delegate in this matter, conveying the Audit Council’s concerns about the performance of the AGLG in regard to performance audits; and

Whereas the Audit Council has now lost all confidence in the ability of the AGLG to effectively and credibly deliver on the mandate of the Office of the AGLG; and

Whereas Minister Oakes in her letter of March 21, 2015 to the Chair of the Audit Council requested that the Audit Council provide a recommendation for removal of the AGLG under section 19 (1)(c) of the Auditor General for Local Government Act; therefore

Resolved,

That under section 19 (1)(c) of the Auditor General for Local Government Act, the Audit Council recommend to the Minister removal of the AGLG by sending the attached letter to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

March 21, 2015