Outgoing Halifax auditor general urges more public funds scrutiny

Allmunicipalities in Nova Scotia could benefit from independentscrutiny of how taxpayers' dollars are spent, Halifax's outgoing auditor general says.

"You have to be guided by what would the taxpayers say?" said LarryMunroe who is finishing up seven years of auditing the city's finances.

"The majorityof taxpayers would not want their tax dollars spent on alcohol."

The comment follows a CBC investigation into the expenses ofofficials in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough.

Documents obtained througha Freedom of Information Act request showed thousands of public dollars were spenton alcohol, expensive restaurant meals and gift cards.

Audits important to point of problems

Munroe is convinced ongoing performance audits can point outgaps in policy and help improve the culture around handling publicfunds to prevent problems.

"If we put the right policies in place, they can protect both thetaxpayers and the individuals carrying them out."

The offices of municipal auditor generals should be the placeswhere the general public can take their concerns,he said.

Munroeproduced 37 reports and made 650recommendations for changeduring his term. He had a tip line where residents could call in with their concerns and observations.

His first major report was on a concert scandal involving then-mayorPeter Kellyand the acting chief administrative officer.

Munroe also investigated the Washmill Underpass project which endedup millions of dollars over budget,and an underground fuel leakat the Metro Transitdepot in Burnside.

There were also reviews ofovertime costs, expense claims by the mayor and councillors andemployee absenteeism.

AGs not the norm in all of Canada

Municipal auditor generalsaren't the norm in all Canadian cities.

Edmonton and Calgary both have auditor generals. In Quebec, all communities with 100,000 people or more are required to have one. In Ontario, only Toronto is required to have one, while the rest of the municipalities in the province may hire an auditor general if they choose.

British Columbia set up a municipal auditor general for the province in2012.The office has done at least 21
reports on different municipalities. Nova Scotia pondered a similar program at one time, Munroe said.

A review of Nova Scotia's Municipal Government Act is currently being done.