The Nova Scotia government has withdrawn proposed amendments to the Auditor General Act following discussions between Premier Tim Houston and Auditor General Kim Adair. The decision comes after significant public and professional support for maintaining the independence of the Auditor General’s office.

Why This Matters

The Auditor General is a watchdog who checks how the government spends money to make sure it’s used properly. Their job is to keep things fair and transparent by catching any waste or mismanagement.

Proposed changes to the law drew widespread critism because of concerns it would make the Auditor General less independent. Critics feared the changes might allow politicians to interfere with investigations.

A Collaborative Resolution

In a statement on Monday, Auditor General Kim Adair expressed gratitude that the amendments were being withdrawn.

“We appreciate that Premier Tim Houston is withdrawing the amendments to the Auditor General Act,” said Adair. “We’re thankful that we had the opportunity to sit down with the Premier and his team for a very productive exchange this afternoon.”

Adair also acknowledged the widespread support the office received since the amendments were first introduced, emphasizing the importance of the office’s work in providing impactful audit reports for Nova Scotians.

Premier Tim Houston also released a statement clarifying his position and the reasons behind the proposed amendments. He explained that the original changes stemmed from a review of best practices across Canada but were never intended to alter the role of the Auditor General in Nova Scotia.

“Sometimes things become something that they weren’t intended to be, and I believe this is the case with the Auditor General-related amendments,” said Houston. “After discussions with the Nova Scotia Auditor General and her team, I am no longer supporting the proposed amendments. This afternoon, I asked the legislature to withdraw them.”

A Commitment to Accountability

Houston reaffirmed his respect for the Auditor General and emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to transparency. He also pointed out that the provincial budget this year includes increased funding for the Auditor General’s office, further supporting its work in ensuring accountability within the government.

With the amendments now off the table, both the Auditor General and the Premier expressed their readiness to move forward in their respective roles, maintaining a strong working relationship that prioritizes the interests of Nova Scotians.