Urge Premier Eby and NDP Government Reinstate BC's Municipal Auditor General
- Richard Chapman
- May 21
- 2 min read
The Issue
In light of recent concerns regarding financial transparency and accountability at the municipal level in Metro Vancouver and throughout BC, we are calling on the public and our municipal elected officials to support an important initiative:
Urging Premier David Eby to reinstate the office of the Municipal Auditor General in British Columbia.
Alternatively, we seek the expansion of powers for the current BC Auditor General, allowing for direct oversight and investigation into questionable municipal expenses.
The recent revelations involving the City of Richmond—where hundreds of thousands of dollars were reportedly spent on gift cards, now the subject of a police investigation—underscore a serious gap in accountability and financial controls. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident.
Over the past year, Metro Vancouver has also faced public scrutiny over questionable expenditures, including lavish business-class travel, unnecessary sponsorships, and other spending that appears disconnected from the priorities of local taxpayers. Additionally, there are still no clear public answers regarding the staggering cost overruns and delays related to the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant in North Vancouver—an issue that raises serious concerns about fiscal responsibility and governance.Municipal governments in Metro Vancouver manage substantial budgets derived from your tax dollars, and it’s crucial that these funds are spent wisely and ethically. The office of the Municipal Auditor General was previously established to ensure transparency and accountability, providing an essential check on municipal finances. This office was abolished in 2019 by the BC NDP government, when oversight became limited and inconsistencies in budget allocations began to emerge, causing concern among citizens and officials alike. The organization advocating for the closure of the Office of the Municipal Auditor General was the Union of BC Municipalities - the main lobby organization funded by local municipalities.Reinstating this office or expanding the BC Auditor General's powers would provide a much-needed layer of oversight. It would help uncover mismanagement and ensure that public funds are utilized efficiently and responsibly. Such measures would not only enhance accountability but also rebuild public trust in local governments across Metro Vancouver.According to recent reports and studies, cities with robust financial oversight report fewer incidents of financial mismanagement and misuse of taxpayer funds. This highlights the necessity of having a dedicated office to regularly review and audit municipal spending in an impartial and thorough manner.Your support can make a change! Whether you are a citizen or business owner in Metro Vancouver, or you're an elected official - by signing this petition, you will add your voice to those championing fiscal responsibility and transparency in Metro Vancouver. Let’s ensure that our local governments uphold the highest standards of accountability. Stand with us in calling for the reinstatement or expansion of powers for the Municipal Auditor General. A well-managed city benefits us all - sign the petition today to demand the oversight our municipalities need.
Councillor Daniel Fontaine (New Westminster)
Councillor Richard T. Lee (Burnaby)
Councillor Paul Minhas (New Westminster)
NOTE: additional elected officials will be added to this signatory list once they have signed the petition and we have notified us of their support
Sign The Petition here:
