Investigate CanNor says NDP arctic MP

OTTAWA – In the face of serious allegations of financial mismanagement, New Democrat MP Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic) today formally requested that the Auditor General of Canada investigate the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).

“We have an internal audit which says every accounting rule in the book was broken. Furthermore, I have heard allegations of inappropriate and heavy-handed interference from the Minister,” said Bevington. “Northerners and all Canadians need to have the air cleared about this agency and its minister Leona Aglukkaq.”

In his formal request letter, Bevington highlights two serious allegations of which he has become aware:

• the findings of a draft internal audit prepared by the Comptroller General of Canada alleging massive financial mismanagement at CanNor; and
• Allegations that all decision making of even the most routine matters has been concentrated in the Minister’s office, bypassing the normal non-partisan process of the civil service.

“While this cloud of uncertainty remains over the agency and Minister Aglukkaq, economic development of the North is in jeopardy,” said Bevington. “It is not good enough for the minister and now the prime minister to say all is fixed, Canadians need accountability.”