Attack on independence of AG unacceptable

OTTAWA – In spite of the government’s refusal to provide the Auditor General with required information, today’s report highlights major problems across multiple departments – notably a failure to provide mental health services to RCMP members.

“The Liberals’ refusal to provide information to the Auditor General strikes at the heart of accountability and makes a farce of their promise of openness and transparency,” said NDP MP David Christopherson (Hamilton Centre). “The government’s ongoing failure to address the mental health needs of RCMP members is a disgrace”

The Auditor General underlined that the refusal to provide information undermines the independence of the office and made it impossible to complete analysis of fossil fuel subsidies. The report also highlights a failure to protect supply management by allowing more than $130 million of quota-controlled goods to enter without paying $168 million in customs duties, and a failure to ensure the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is not being misused by employers and resulting in abuse of migrant workers.

“The Liberals made big promises to fix the Temporary Foreign Worker Program but today’s report makes clear that they have allowed misuse and abuse to continue,” added NDP Employment critic Brigitte Sansoucy (Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot). “It is clear that the Liberals have failed to fix deep ongoing problems. In my riding, as well as many others, the Temporary Foreign Workers program is essential for the agrifood sector.”