March 29, 2024

Former BC Premier says business of committee appointing Auditor General shouldn’t be public

After a bi-partisan committee bound by secrecy elected to seek a replacement for Auditor General John Doyle, a former BC Premier says the private nature of those committees is essential when it comes to making personnel decisions. Ujjal Dosanjh says under the current process, committee members can be frank without worrying about destroying … [Read more...]

Vancouver General Hospital taking precautions to stop spread of norovirus

Precautions are in place at Vancouver General Hospital as the norovirus makes its rounds. Coastal Health's Anna Marie D'Angelo says containment protocols - to stop the spread of the virus - are in place in a long-term care ward of the hospital and a floor of the residental pavilion. She says a few people have shown symptoms. "what typically happens … [Read more...]

Auditor General: BC Transit won’t meet provincial targets

BC's Auditor-General says BC Transit is not on track to meet the provincial government's goal of doubling transit ridership by 2020. John Doyle says ridership has gone up by nearly seven million trips since 2007, but that's 27 per-cent lower than what would be needed to reach that 2020 target. He's recommending government revisit that goal. BC … [Read more...]

Developing story: Auditor General says provincial deficit understated in last fiscal

The BC' government has chosen accounting standards that make it easier to balance the budget. That's the latest from the Auditor General. John Doyle and his staff have looked into the province's summary financial statements for the current fiscal year. His report says the province has met most of the basic requirements when it comes to financial … [Read more...]

Auditor General back in court over BC Rail documents

Final arguments are being heard in an attempt by BC's Auditor General to find out why taxpayers had to pick up six million dollars in legal fees for Dave Basi and Bobby Virk. Auditor General John Doyle is seeking a court order for access to documents from Basi, Virk, and another lawyer currently protected by solicitor client privilege. The province … [Read more...]

BC names Auditor General for civic governments

BC's first Auditor General for municipal governments has been named. Basia Ruta is a chartered accountant with extensive experience at the federal level. Premier Christy Clark says her priority will be making sure taxpayers are getting the best value for their money. Ruta will examine municipal services and recommend non-binding changes. Her first … [Read more...]

Low turnout for BC Ferries Annual General Meeting

Despite being widely publicized, fewer than 50 people turned out for the BC Ferries Annual General Meeting in Vancouver. Most people attending the AGM at a downtown building easily accessible by transit are board members, labour leaders and media. Only a few members of the public showed up. Several reports printed for those attending remain on a … [Read more...]

Auditor General: the books are a mess

It's a damning report. After a three year audit BC's Auditor General has found the Legislature's financial records are an absolute mess. John Doyle says his audit has found the Legislature is falling short of meeting even basic financial practices. His report finds almost no financial accountability, and such a lack of proper paperwork he is not … [Read more...]

Forum discusses future of Burnaby General Hospital

At a public consultation forum Health Minister Mike de Jong was non-committal when asked how much a proposed new campus for the Burnaby Hospital could cost taxpayers. "That's premature. What you hear being discussed tonight is everything from where a new campus should be located. My sense is there is great enthusiasm for redeveloping the existing … [Read more...]

Attorney General Shirley Bond distances herself from Van Dongen application

Independent MLA John Van Dongen is going to court in a bid to be named an intervenor in the legal wranglings over the controversial $ 6 million Basi-Virk deal.  The Auditor-General is in the midst of a court battle to get all relevant documents on the government's decision to waive the $ 6 million it paid to Basi and Virk's … [Read more...]