N.S. premier withdrawing changes that would have allowed auditor general to be fired without cause
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has made a significant reversal on proposed changes to the Auditor General Act that were met with widespread criticism, including from the auditor general herself. The controversial amendments, which were part of Bill 1 – an omnibus legislation with various government entity changes – would have compromised the independence of the auditor general’s office.
Houston announced in the legislature on Monday that he would be withdrawing the first seven clauses of Bill 1, specifically the ones related to the Auditor General Act. These clauses would have granted the government the authority to dismiss the auditor general without cause with two-thirds support from the House and allowed cabinet ministers to keep certain reports confidential. With the Progressive Conservatives holding a majority of the seats in the House, this raised concerns about potential political interference.
“After discussions with the Nova Scotia auditor general and her team, I am no longer supporting the proposed amendments,” Houston stated. While he declined to provide further comments at Province House, he emphasized that the changes were initially intended to modernize the office based on national best practices.
The opposition leaders welcomed the premier’s decision to backtrack on the amendments but criticized the lack of transparency in the process. NDP Leader Claudia Chender expressed public discontent with Bill 1, calling for further revisions. Interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette believed that public pressure played a significant role in prompting Houston to reconsider.
Auditor General Kim Adair responded positively to the premier’s announcement, expressing gratitude for the withdrawal of the changes. She highlighted the overwhelming support her office received following the introduction of Bill 1. Adair also acknowledged the increased funding allocated to her office in the recent budget, indicating a commitment to maintaining a productive working relationship with the government.
While the amendments to the Auditor General Act have been removed, other controversial changes in Bill 1 remain in effect. These include provisions allowing the government to terminate non-unionized bureaucrats without cause and formalizing the dissolution of Communications Nova Scotia. Additionally, the legislation grants department heads and agency leaders the authority to reject frivolous or vague freedom of information requests.
As the political landscape in Nova Scotia continues to evolve, the decision to retract the contentious amendments reflects a commitment to upholding the integrity and independence of the auditor general’s office. The ongoing dialogue between government officials and oversight bodies will be essential in ensuring accountability and transparency in the province’s governance.
