Province Announces Funding for Municipal Auditor General

A provincial investment in municipalities will result in better control and support for municipal spending.

The province is committing $300,000 to establish the Office of the Municipal Auditor General.

"By working together to ensure the best use of taxpayers dollars, we can help make sure money is available for those services that municipalities and their residents rely on and need most," said John MacDonell, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "We want to collaborate with all municipalities to strengthen our communities, making them great places to live, work and raise a family."

The municipal auditor general would be appointed by the minister on the recommendation of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. Provincial funding will cover the cost of the municipal auditor general and staff, while office operations will require further financial support from the municipalities.

Each municipality will have to pay for a value-for-money audit every four years. A private sector firm would conduct the audit and review issues identified by the municipal auditor general, in consultation with municipalities.

The responsibilities of the municipal auditor general will include looking at municipal accountability for financial stewardship and helping to achieve value for money in municipal operations.

"We are pleased that the province agreed to our request to financially support the municipal auditor general office," said Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities president Jimmy MacAlpine, deputy warden for the District of Digby. "The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities fully supports the creation of this office, which will promote accountability and transparency among municipalities right across the province."

The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is working to establish the position by April 1.