Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan has slammed the provincial government’s proposed municipal auditor general as a political ploy and a waste of money.
On Thursday, Minister Ida Chong and Premier Christy Clark introduced legislation to create the $ 2.6-million office of an auditor general for local government (AGLG).
Clark said the position — to be based in Surrey — will ensure city services are being provided as efficiently as possible. Recommendations stemming from the audits will be non-binding and the office will have no authority to question policy and taxation decisions, she said.
“The AGLG will help keep property taxes under control … make sure (tax money) is spent as prudently as possible,” she said. “I understand that a lot of local politicians didn’t like the idea at first. Sometimes you don’t look very good (in audits).”
Corrigan is furious the province rushed the plan through even though there was considerable opposition to it during the annual meeting of the Union of B.C. Municipalities in September.
“I’m not afraid of anything. Our books are transparent already,” he said. “There’s been no case proven that there is any mismanagement going on at a local level.”
Despite assurances that the office will be independent, Corrigan fears the province will use the AGLG to attack municipalities that challenge it.
He points to the extensive audit conducted last year of the Vancouver School Board by the comptroller general when the board was openly challenging the lack of provincial funding.
“Most municipalities are suspicious,” he said. “If we’re paranoid, it’s only justified.”
Clark said she hopes the AGLG office will be up and running by late spring 2012.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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