Canada's auditor general Sheila Fraser says there are some misconceptions of her office she hopes to dispel during a visit to Prince George Monday.
Fraser is the inaugural speaker of a new leadership series of breakfast meeting sponsored by the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.
In an interview in advance of her presentation, Fraser told The Citizen Friday many people view the auditor general as a watchdog who is looking specifically for areas that go badly in government.
In fact, the office takes a more risk-based approach that can show where government is working as well as areas that need improvement, she said.
Fraser noted it is Parliament that is the watchdog.
"Our work helps them fulfill that role," said Fraser. "We have a saying here: We look at important things and report what we find, negative and positive."
Fraser said she will offer some audit examples during Monday's event that she believes will be of interest in Prince George, including on oil spills.
An audit released last November by Environment and Sustainable Development Commission, which falls under the auspices of the auditor general, found the Canadian Coast Guard lacks the training, equipment and management systems to fulfill its duties to respond to offshore pollution incidents such as oil spills.
Fraser has been Canada's auditor general for the past 10 years. She is perhaps best known for her report on the sponsorship scandal that unveiled questionable practices by Liberals in Quebec. Her report confirmed serious problems in the federal government's management of its sponsorship program for a four-year period beginning in 1997.
The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. on Monday at the Ramada Hotel.
Tickets are $15 plus the HST for Chamber of Commerce members, and $20 plus the HST for non-members.
Tickets available at the chamber office or online at www.pgchamber.bc.ca.
