Provincial auditor open to WUC probeMake sure your voice is heard. Let's not leave any doubt in Council's mind about whether or not they should create this position.
Dave Battagello, Windsor Star
Published: Thursday, August 09, 2007
...The financial mess surrounding the Windsor Utilities Commission and planned water rate hike has some city officials and residents calling for creation of Windsor's own independent auditor general.
Changes to the Municipal Act at the start of this year has allowed Ontario cities to create an auditor general position. Toronto and Ottawa are among the few that have.
"An independent review of municipal affairs will go a long way to giving the public confidence," said Coun. Bill Marra, who earlier this year requested a report from administration on the issue.
"The federal and provincial governments are subject to it, so it makes no sense that it doesn't exist at the municipal level in Windsor."
City auditor Mike Dunbar, who reports to council and senior administrators, is among those who agree the city needs an auditor general, citing the previous MFP scandal and the current concerns around WUC's finances.
"We always believe there should be an independent set of eyes," said Dunbar.
"If there was an auditor general here, they would be empowered to conduct an inquiry, something we can't do. It has certain powers that are advantageous."
Use of an auditor general role is prominent in municipalities across Quebec, but has been slow to catch on in Ontario, Dunbar said. But he sees that changing thanks to the Municipal Act being reworked.
In Toronto, the city's auditor general is empowered to conduct audits in the areas of compliance, finances, value-for-money and the environment, and can undertake investigations around suspected fraudulent activities.
Windsor blogger Paul Synnott has included a petition calling for creation of a local auditor general position on his website.
He could not be reached Thursday, but his blog petition states: "We, the undersigned, call on Windsor city council to create the independent office of Windsor auditor general and fund said office as appropriate."
Download the petition (.pdf format)
Sign the Petition online (Names and addresses will NOT be displayed in the online petition, only the total number of signatures)
