Nova Scotia auditor general questions government commitment to her recommendations
Nova Scotia's auditor general called out the provincial government on Tuesday, saying it has been so slow to act on her office's recommendations that she questions whether it is committed to following through.
In a new followup report, Kim Adair said the government has implemented 60 per cent of the recommendations from audits in 2019, 2020 and 2021 -- a rate she called unsatisfactory. Furthermore, she said, the government's response rate dropped during that period from 76 per cent in 2019 to 45 per cent in 2020 and 42 per cent in 2021.
"Lately we've found government implementation of auditor general recommendations is slipping," Adair told reporters. "In fact, the completion rate has slipped so much in the past three years it raises questions about government's commitment to get them done."
Adair's report is particularly critical of the Department of Public Works, which has completed just one of seven recommendations from 2019 to improve the management of bridge projects. The report by former auditor general Michael Pickup concluded the department wasn't providing its managers with the information needed to make decisions about the replacement, rehabilitation and maintenance of the province's 4,200 bridges.
Adair said that when the audit was released, the department promised to implement all seven recommendations within two years, including to inspect bridges as required and prioritize bridge repair and replacement with consistent criteria.
"Obviously the department missed those deadlines several times over," Adair said.
The department now says it will have all the recommendations completed this month, she said, adding that her office plans to verify next year.
"Because in my view there's safety concerns with bridge repairs so we're going to go back on that one," she said.
In an October 2023 response to Adair's office, the Department of Public Works said it had hired an engineer to manage structural assets, had collected, analyzed and validated bridge data, and had reviewed all bridges for ownership, inspection and maintenance responsibilities. It said it had also started to develop a new software system with accurate and accessible bridge information that was expected to be accessible by May 2024.
Meanwhile, Adair's report also found that six recommendations are still outstanding from a 2021 audit on the province's pre-kindergarten program, including to ensure that all staff background checks are properly completed.
Other audits she highlighted included reports in 2019 and 2020 on the QEII Health Sciences Centre redevelopment project, in which five of nine recommendations hadn't been completed, and in 2020 and 2021 on the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation, for which 11 of 22 recommendations were still outstanding.
Adair said she was at a loss to explain the reasons for the lack of government compliance.
"You almost have to look at each audit individually and the department involved I hope that things improve and that there is a more serious commitment," she said.
Liberal member Braedon Clark said the numbers released by the auditor general are concerning and are "trending in the wrong direction."
"If the recommendations are put on a shelf and forgotten, that's a pretty dangerous thing," Clark said. "All governments ignore things that probably they shouldn't and that's no excuse, but that's often what happens in politics."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2024.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
BREAKING Jury deliberations begin in Donald Trump's hush money criminal case
Jury deliberations began Wednesday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, putting the outcome of the historic case in the hands of a dozen New Yorkers who have vowed to be fair and impartial in the face of their unprecedented task.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
P.E.I. kiteboarder 'lucky to be alive' after shark attack in Turks and Caicos
A professional kiteboarder from P.E.I. says he has been seriously injured in a shark attack that occurred while he was snorkelling in the Turks and Caicos Islands last week.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
What weather experts say to expect this summer in Canada
Get ready to feel the heat, Canada. Weather experts are predicting more sunshine and warmer temperatures for the summer.
Canada announces $11B for military aircraft training
Canada has announced an $11.2-billion contract to improve training platforms for the military, including the purchase of 70 training aircraft for the Future Aircrew Training program.
Edmonton Oilers set to make lineup changes for Game 4 of Western Conference final
The Edmonton Oilers are shaking things up. Down 2-1 in the NHL's Western Conference final to the Dallas Stars, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed there would be lineup changes for tonight's Game 4.