The majority of UCP MLAs in an Alberta legislative committee have voted to initiate the search for a new auditor general, disregarding the current auditor general’s offer to extend his term for two more years. Doug Wylie, the current auditor general, expressed his willingness to continue for another two years to oversee the completion of the investigation into the procurement of private surgical facilities at Alberta Health Services and assist in the transition to his successor.
Despite Wylie’s preference to stay, the committee decided to move forward with the search for a new auditor general. Wylie’s term is set to conclude on April 28, and his office is in the process of conducting interviews for the health procurement investigation, aiming to finalize the report before his term ends.
The motion to commence the search for a new auditor general was put forth by the UCP members of the standing committee on legislative offices, which oversees various government offices, including the auditor general’s office. The motion was supported by five UCP MLAs, including Scott Cyr, who introduced the motion.
On the other hand, the four NDP MLAs on the committee opposed the motion, highlighting concerns about the decision to replace Wylie. The committee’s vote will now proceed to the legislative assembly for a final decision.
Following the committee’s decision, Justice Minister Mickey Amery expressed confidence that the work within the auditor general’s office would continue effectively under Wylie’s successor. He emphasized the importance of an open competition to select the best candidate for the position.
Wylie’s investigation, prompted by allegations regarding contracts for private surgical centers, is one of three ongoing probes into the matter. Apart from the auditor general’s investigation, the RCMP is conducting its own inquiry, while a report by retired judge Raymond Wyant found no evidence of wrongdoing by politicians or staff but outlined recommendations to prevent conflicts of interest.
Requests for additional funding
During the committee meeting, Wylie requested $977,000 in supplemental funding to investigate the restructuring costs of Alberta Health Services and other related financial matters. He explained that the workload required outsourcing to a third party due to his team’s current commitments.
Separately, Alberta’s chief electoral officer, Gordon McClure, sought $13.5 million in extra funding to cover expenses related to handling citizen-initiated petitions and potential referendum preparations. The committee approved a portion of McClure’s request, with further discussions expected at the next meeting.
Overall, the decision to seek a new auditor general and the funding requests have sparked debate and scrutiny among committee members and observers, reflecting the ongoing developments in Alberta’s government oversight and financial management.
Tag: rewrite-pending