NDP pushes for investigation into leaked Auditor General report

An NDP motion will be moved at the first sitting of the House of Commons Ethics committee to launch a formal investigation into leaks of the Auditor General’s report into Senators’ expenses.

“Canada’s Auditor General is a respected Officer of Parliament with an impeccable reputation, attempts to undermine this institution must be rebuffed,” said NDP Ethics critic Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie). “The intentional obstruction of the Auditor General is an insult to every parliamentarian and may even constitute contempt. The ethics committee must investigate this alleged leak and protect the Auditor General’s good work.”

A formal investigation, as proposed by the NDP, would resolve the deadlock and get to the bottom of this situation. It is clear that the Senate has lost all ability to fix its problems in a timely and accountable manner.

“The House of Commons has just as much at stake when a respected parliamentary institution is undermined,” added Boulerice. “It is in the interest of all parties to protect the integrity of the Office of the Auditor General and as the progressive opposition we know this study is the best way forward to achieving that.”

Text of the motion to be tabled is as follows:

That the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics undertake an investigation into leaks of the Auditor General’s report on Senators’ expenses with regards to current Parliamentarian rules around ethics as well as its potential impacts on the Auditor General ability to conduct future work and to maintain the public’s trust.