The Auditor General Act, 2021 is now in effect with the legislation being proclaimed today. The Act strengthens the Office of the Auditor General in providing independent oversight to ensure public funds and other resources continue to be used properly and effectively.

The new Act represents the first major changes to the legislation governing the Office of the Auditor General in 30 years and better aligns it with similar Offices across the country. The Act increases government transparency and accountability and expands the mandate of the Office.

Key updates in the Auditor General Act, 2021 include:

• Enhancing the scope of the Auditor General by making it the default auditor, and coordinator for audits using outside firms, for all Crown agencies;
• Allowing the Office to audit the expenditure of government funds including grants provided to persons, corporations and organizations;
• Allowing the Auditor General access to additional records including cabinet records;
• Enabling the Auditor General to undertake performance audits in addition to financial audits; and
• Adding offences under the Act with penalties for obstruction including fines of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to three months.

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Media contact
Luke Joyce
Executive Council
709-729-0084
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca