National

Municipalities Vote To Call On B.C. To Eliminate Local Auditor General Position

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Sep, 2015 01:04 PM

VANCOUVER — Municipal leaders in British Columbia have voted to call on the province to scrap a controversial office that audits local governments.

A resolution to ask B.C. to eliminate the auditor general for local government was passed with 54.5 per cent support at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention on Thursday.

North Saanich council had put forward the resolution, saying the office has cost taxpayers $5.2 million and was unnecessary because cities were already legally required to balance their books.

Mayor Alice Finall told local politicians gathered at the conference that the province brought in the position in 2012 without consulting with cities and it hasn't shown any obvious value.

But some communities that have been audited spoke in favour of keeping the office, with Sechelt mayor Bruce Milne saying his city benefited tremendously from the process.

The province fired its first auditor, Basia Ruta, in March amid complaints of inefficiency and wasted money and announced Wednesday that accountant Gordon Ruth would take on the role.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Advisory Remains: Tests On Saskatchewan City's Water Could Be Completed Tuesday

The Saskatchewan city of North Battleford says a precautionary drinking-water advisory remains in effect as officials wait for more test results.

Advisory Remains: Tests On Saskatchewan City's Water Could Be Completed Tuesday

Safeway Urges Consumers In Five Provinces To Throw Out Cooked Chicken Wings

Safeway is recalling several varieties of store-packaged, cooked chicken wings over concerns they may be contaminated with a toxin-producing bacteria.

Safeway Urges Consumers In Five Provinces To Throw Out Cooked Chicken Wings

Former KGB Worker Mikhail Lennikov Voluntarily Leaves Canada After 6 Years Avoiding Deportation

VANCOUVER — A former KGB agent who spent six years living inside a Vancouver church to avoid deportation has voluntarily left Canada.

Former KGB Worker Mikhail Lennikov Voluntarily Leaves Canada After 6 Years Avoiding Deportation

Some B.C. Residents Can Relax As Crews Make Progress Corralling Two Wildfires

Crews are making good progress on a pair of wildfires burning in the south Okanagan near Oliver, B.C., south of Penticton.

Some B.C. Residents Can Relax As Crews Make Progress Corralling Two Wildfires

Canadian Reporter Once Jailed In Egypt Says Anti-Terror Law Enshrines Unjust System

A Canadian journalist branded as a terrorist by the Egyptian government says new laws passed in the country today make it likely that other reporters will meet the same fate.

Canadian Reporter Once Jailed In Egypt Says Anti-Terror Law Enshrines Unjust System

Western Canada Feeling Twin Pains Of Low Crude And High Gas Prices

CALGARY — Western Canada is being hit with the twin pains of the lowest prices for heavy crude in years alongside a significant spike in gasoline prices following a shutdown at a major U.S. refinery.