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By CHAT News Today

Focus on public accountability

Auditor general will examine Alberta’s COVID-19 response

May 27, 2020 | 12:39 PM

Alberta’s auditor general will probe the province’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doug Wylie said he has received numerous inquiries from Albertans and MLAs on the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, and confirmed he will examine and report on the Government of Alberta’s response.

“Like other auditors general across the country, we are paying close attention to the government’s response to the pandemic crisis,” Wylie said. “As it involves a significant investment by the Government of Alberta, and has had a significant impact on the lives of all Albertans, it is something we will examine.”

Wylie stressed any examinations by his office would focus on public accountability for what was spent and program outcomes, value for investments made, and on lessons learned by the government for responding to similar crises in the future.

Some actions are already underway to help identify areas the Wylie could investigate, including:

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• Tracking all programs and initiatives related to the COVID-19 response
• Reviewing current outstanding recommendations by the Auditor General to government for relevant or related issues, such as seniors care
• Analyzing all COVID-related inquiries to the Auditor General from the public, stakeholders, media and MLAs
• Discussing common themes and approaches to COVID-related audits with the federal and other provincial Auditors General, and monitoring the responses of Auditors General in other countries

The initial findings and observations will be reported to the Legislative Assembly in fall 2020. Further audit work will be conducted and reported on at the appropriate time.