NS auditor general applauds government progress on past recommendations
Nova Scotia’s top watchdog, Auditor General Kim Adair, has recently released her office’s latest follow-up report on the government’s implementation of past audit recommendations. The report, released on April 15, highlights the government’s significant progress in completing recommendations from 11 performance audits conducted between 2020 and 2022.
According to the report, the government has completed 82 out of 103 recommendations from previous years, marking an impressive three-year implementation rate of 80 percent, up from 60 percent in the previous year’s progress report. Adair described this increase as a “huge leap” and emphasized the importance of performance audit recommendations as a blueprint for organizations to improve their services and programs.
While the government has made substantial progress in implementing audit recommendations, the report also points out important changes that are still needed. Notably, some key recommendations remain incomplete, including those from audits such as Government Wide Contaminated Sites, QEII Halifax Infirmary expansion project, and Oversight and Management of Government Owned Public Housing.
Despite these outstanding recommendations, the government received a perfect score on implementing all 26 recommendations from the 2021 performance audits. This achievement is the first perfect score in the history of the follow-up report process, which began in 2002. Adair commended the government for its commitment to implementing these changes, stating that it demonstrates the value placed on the recommendations made by her office.
In addition to reviewing progress on previous years’ audits, the report also examines two outlier audits: the 2019 Selection and Quality Management of Bridge Projects and the 2024 Health, Safety, and Well-Being of Children Placed in Temporary Emergency Arrangements and Child and Youth Care Homes audits. The report highlights both the low point in progress on the Bridge Projects audit, where only two out of seven recommendations have been completed since 2019, as well as the early progress made on the Child and Youth Care Homes audit.
The report notes that while the Department of Public Works has made some improvements in monitoring bridge conditions and inspections, there is still work to be done to ensure comprehensive reporting and prioritization of bridge maintenance. Adair emphasized the importance of public safety in addressing these outstanding recommendations.
On the other hand, the report acknowledges the early progress made by the Department of Opportunities and Social Development in addressing recommendations from the Child and Youth Care Homes audit. The department has completed three out of 20 recommendations, with work underway to address the remaining 17.
Overall, the report provides a comprehensive overview of the government’s progress in implementing audit recommendations and highlights areas where further improvements are needed. Adair will present the report to the Legislature’s Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday, where further discussions on the government’s progress will take place.
