THE ISSUE

Governments and the public across the country have recognized the real value of having independent analysis of government practices. Auditors general are a key component of this effort. Yet despite a Liberal election promise to increase funding for the auditor general's office, cuts were just as common during its term.

Of course, it's complicated

It's not just a matter of cuts. Privatization has put much public spending beyond the auditor general's scrutiny.

The bottom line

Was the ability of Auditor General Wayne Strelioff to scrutinize public spending been undermined by budget cuts and privatization? What level of funding for the auditor general will your party commit to? What forms of government spending should be beyond the scrutiny of the auditor general?

THE ANSWERS

Green Party of BC

The Auditor General's funding has been cut virtually every year since the Liberals have been in power. Perhaps the Liberals hope that the lack of resources will keep the Auditor General from being able to dig too deeply into favoured projects (the RAV transit line and the Olympics come to mind). Other than general cheapness, it is hard to come up with a better answer. The Green party believes that taxpayers in a democracy have a fundamental right to know precisely how their money is spent. The lack of adequate funding for an independent watchdog invites corruption, indeed guarantees it. The Green party would immediately increase funding to the Auditor General's office to pre-2001 levels. We would expand the AG's role to look into any financial issues involving public funds and would consider increasing the Auditor General's funding to allow them expand this mandate.

Democratic Reform BC

We see an enhanced role for the independent offices of the Auditor General, the Ombudsman, and Human Rights as fundamental to ensuring accountable government. When it comes to assessing the impact of budget cuts on his office, Wayne Strelioff has himself reported that cuts forced the cancellation of, among other things, a full review of public-private partnership plans. A 25-percent turnover in audit staff has resulted from the reduced funding, the early retirement of senior executive officers and the loss of experienced professional auditors. The current budget for the AG is about half the size of that provided in Alberta. Clearly funding increments are needed to begin to rebuild the office's capacity over the next three fiscal years and equip it for enhanced responsibilities for oversight in all areas of public expenditure. Any funding for the Auditor-General's Office should be approved by the Legislature as a whole, and not to otherwise amended. Tom Morino, Malahat-Juan de Fuca, Democratic Reform leader, 250-478-5576 [email protected]

NDP

The NDP platform commits the party to increase funding for the Auditor General by $1 million over the proposed increases in the Liberal government's 2005 budget, and to ensure the AG has the power to audit activities related to the Olympics and its partnerships, and public-private partnerships in general. The platform charges that the cuts show public scrutiny of the Liberal government's actions is not a priority. "Contracting out of public services and privatization schemes are now taking place in secret without full financial analysis. And Gordon Campbell has barred the Auditor General from oversight of the 2010 Olympics, risking hundreds of millions of dollars in public expenditures. This secrecy underlines the 'hidden agenda' style of the Campbell government. Carole James knows that the Auditor General provides a crucial service to ordinary British Columbians - a system of checks and balances that help make sure government is doing what it should with taxpayer dollars."

BC Liberals

While the proposed 2005 Liberal budget would partially restore funding cut by the Liberals during the last four years, the 2005 party platform remains silent on the AG's role in government.