Province still not being transparent about spending: AG

Nova Scotia’s auditor general is recommending for the third consecutive year the provincial government be more accountable regarding its over-budget spending. 

“Change is needed to ensure MLAs and taxpayers clearly know where all public funds are going,” Kim Adair said at a news conference Tuesday morning.  

The province spent $1.38 billion above its approved budget last year, and during the last decade, increased its over-budget spending to $7 billion, according to this year’s report. 

Unlike in other provinces, the process of over-budget spending in Nova Scotia does not require the legislature to review, vote on and approve extra spending, Adair said.

“I believe that change is needed to the legislation to provide more transparency,” she said. 

Adair said again this year the province needs to amend the Finance Act to ensure Nova Scotians’ tax dollars are spent properly. The province has ignored the last two recommendations. 

Adair also said the Finance Act requires new programs go to the legislature for approval yet there were no approvals for the entire year.

“But in all the money that has been spent — to billions in recent years — apparently none of it qualifies as a new program or operation,” she said. 

Adair said the new $60-million medical school at Cape Breton University was an example of an expenditure the provincial government did not qualify as a new program to be reviewed by the legislature for spending approval. 

NDP house leader Lisa Lachance said Nova Scotians need to be able to trust that their tax dollars are being valued by the Progressive Conservative government. 

“It’s a lot of secrecy and stuff happening behind closed doors,” Lachance said. 

Liberal party house leader Iain Rankin expressed concern about the PC government’s over-spending and lack of transparency, saying Nova Scotia was “lagging” behind other provinces and their economies. 

“I know this government wants to talk about being open for business, but they are the most spendthrift government now in the country,” Rankin said. “Businesses are watching that.”