Nova Scotia government giving itself the power to fire the auditor general

Premier Tim Houston’s government is making significant changes to the powers of the Auditor General in Nova Scotia, sparking concern among opposition parties and the public. With a supermajority in the legislature, the Progressive Conservatives are pushing through an omnibus bill that includes provisions to allow the government to fire the auditor general without cause and make reports from the office private.

The Government Organization and Administration Act tabled by the government on Tuesday also includes the dissolution of Communications Nova Scotia, a non-partisan agency responsible for public materials. Responsibilities for government communications, labour relations, and planning are being consolidated under the executive council office, which supports the premier and cabinet.

Moreover, the bill proposes changes to the Freedom of Information Act, giving public entities the power to refuse applications deemed frivolous or not specific enough. It also repeals the province’s fixed election date legislation, which Premier Houston had introduced in 2021 but failed to adhere to.

The most contentious changes in the omnibus bill are related to the Auditor General Act. The proposed amendments would allow the government to dismiss the auditor general with the support of two-thirds of the MLAs, giving them unprecedented control over this independent watchdog. The attorney general would also be granted the authority to designate certain information in the auditor general’s reports as privileged.

Furthermore, cabinet ministers could request that parts of the auditor general’s report be kept private if they believe it is in the public interest. The government would have the power to delay the release of the report and influence its contents. These changes have raised concerns about the erosion of the auditor general’s independence and transparency in government operations.

Opposition parties, including the NDP and Liberals, have criticized the government for undermining the role of the auditor general. NDP Leader Claudia Chender emphasized the importance of the auditor general in ensuring accountability and transparency in government spending. Interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette echoed these sentiments, highlighting the historical significance of the auditor general’s reports in uncovering misconduct and holding officials accountable.

Despite the backlash, Premier Tim Houston has refused to address questions from reporters about the proposed changes. His avoidance of the media in the legislature has raised further concerns about transparency and accountability in his government.

The Auditor General Kim Adair has expressed her concerns about the impact of these changes on her independence and is seeking clarification from government officials. The public accounts committee, which holds a government majority, would have the final say on whether the auditor general’s report remains confidential.

In conclusion, the government’s move to expand its powers over the auditor general has sparked a backlash from opposition parties and raised concerns about accountability and transparency in Nova Scotia. The independence of the auditor general is crucial in ensuring oversight of government spending and decisions, and any attempts to undermine this role should be met with scrutiny from the public and legislators alike.