Le Lézard
Classified in: Business
Subjects: ACC, AVO

Weak Governance and Operational Practices at NPCA: Auditor General


TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2018 /CNW/ - The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) has taken steps to improve its operations and has several initiatives under way. However, it still has significant operational issues to address in order to restore public trust and deliver its programs and services economically, efficiently and effectively, Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk said in a Special Report released today.

"Our audit also found that the governance structure established in the Conservation Authorities Act (Act) and weaknesses in the NPCA Board's oversight were two of the key contributors to the operational problems at the NPCA that have been the subject of public concerns and criticisms."

The Report noted that some NPCA Board members (a majority of whom are elected officials, such as mayors and councillors) involved themselves in the day-to-day operations of the NPCA. Their involvement was not always perceived as positive by employees of the NPCA and the public.

Under the Act, board members of conservation authorities are authorized to "vote and generally act on behalf of their respective municipalities." This can put board members in a difficult position when municipal interests conflict with the responsibilities of conservation authorities and their employees.

In light of mounting concerns and criticism of the NPCA, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts of the Legislative Assembly asked the Auditor General last year to conduct an audit of the NPCA. The NPCA, established in 1959, oversees a watershed that covers the entire Niagara region, along with parts of the City of Hamilton and Haldimand County.

Each of the Province's 36 conservation authorities is responsible to protect an individual watershed?an area of land that drains or "sheds" rain and melted snow into a common body of water?from flooding and erosion. About 90% of Ontarians live in areas managed by a conservation authority.

Some specific operational issues identified in the audit included:

Visit http://www.auditor.on.ca to read the Report.

The Office of the Auditor General is an independent Office of the Legislative Assembly that conducts value-for-money and financial audits of the provincial government, its ministries and agencies. We also audit organizations in the broader public sector that receive provincial funding. Our vision is to deliver exceptional value and assurance to members of the Legislative Assembly, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and all Ontarians through high-quality work that promotes accountability, value for money and effective governance in the Ontario public sector.

SOURCE Office of the Auditor General of Ontario


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