Caroline Cochrane: Progress Statement - Governance: Office of the Auditor General of Canada Performance Audit

Ministers' Statements and Speeches

Delivered on March 2, 2017

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs was recently the subject of a Performance Audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. The audit assessed the Department’s performance as it relates to supporting community governments with the provision of essential services to residents.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is always looking for ways to improve our programs and services. Given this commitment, we welcome the report and recommendations of the Auditor General.

The report of the Auditor General was tabled in this Legislative Assembly in October 2016 and included 13 recommendations, focusing on four key areas:

  1. Supporting the delivery of essential services;
  2. Developing tools to support community governments;
  3. Supporting Designated Authorities; and
  4. Supporting community government capacity.

Municipal and Community Affairs developed a comprehensive plan to take action on all 13 recommendations.  This Action Plan was presented to the Standing Committee on Government Operations on January 17, 2017.

We anticipate receiving feedback from the Standing Committee to help us ensure that our Action Plan is on the right track and represents the broad interests of the Office of the Auditor General, community governments and Members of this House.

Mr. Speaker, Municipal and Community Affairs is committed to building stronger relationships with community governments and collaborating and fostering government-to-government relationships with Aboriginal governments.

The Department is open to changing its practices and processes where it will result in better services to community governments. The Department has a strong relationship with community governments as well as the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and the Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories.  These well-established and cooperative relationships will be vital to ensuring that the Action Plan, and its implementation, respond to the needs of community governments. 

Mr. Speaker, I remain committed to supporting community governments and ensuring the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is providing programs and services in the best way possible, delivered by our dedicated and professional staff.

This report of the Auditor General will help further focus the work we are already doing to improve our services. I look forward to providing updates to Members as we proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.