Media Advisory—Auditor General Karen Hogan will release the first of her 2021 reports on Thursday, 25 February 2021

Media Advisory—Auditor General Karen Hogan will release the first of her 2021 reports on Thursday, 25 February 2021

Ottawa, 9 February 2021—On Thursday 25 February 2021, Karen Hogan, Auditor General of Canada, will deliver 5 performance audit reports to the House of Commons, as well as a copy of the already public report of the special examination of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, for tabling in the House at approximately 2:00 p.m. (eastern standard timeEST). Titles and descriptions of the reports are provided below.

Embargoed reports

If you are a journalist accredited by a recognized media organization and wish to receive embargoed electronic copies of the reports at 10:30 a.m. (EST) on 25 February 2021, please email Infomedia@oag-bvg.gc.ca to receive instructions to register for the media preview. Registration must be completed by 5:00 p.m. (EST) on 23 February 2021. Please note that print copies of the reports are not available for distribution due to pandemic restrictions.

News conference

Journalists registered for the media preview can also take part in an embargoed news conference with Auditor General Karen Hogan, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., via teleconference or in person (Room 200 – 144 Wellington Street, Ottawa). To attend the news conference in person, you must be accredited by the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery and follow all public health requirements.

Interviews

To book an interview, please call 1-888-761-5953 or email infomedia@oag-bvg.gc.ca.

The 2021 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada included in this release are:

Report 1—Procuring Complex Information Technology Solutions. This audit focused on whether Employment and Social Development Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Shared Services Canada, and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat planned and carried out procurements for complex information technologyIT solutions that support the achievement of business outcomes and the government’s commitment to promote fairness, openness, and transparency in the process.

Report 2—National Shipbuilding Strategy. This audit focused on whether the large vessel fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard were being renewed in a timely manner. We examined whether shipbuilding was on schedule and whether the new ships were being delivered in time for the retirement of the old ships. We also looked at how the audited organizations managed the risks of delays, including how they mitigated the potential impact of delays on the navy’s and coast guard’s operations while waiting for new ships.

Report 3—Access to Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities—Indigenous Services Canada. This audit focused on whether Indigenous Services Canada provided adequate support to First Nations communities to ensure that they have access to safe drinking water. We also examined whether the department determined and provided the amount of funding necessary to operate and maintain drinking water infrastructure and whether, in collaboration with First Nations, the department made progress in developing a regulatory regime for drinking water in First Nations communities.

Report 4—Canada Child Benefit—Canada Revenue Agency. This audit focused on whether the Canada Revenue Agency ensured that Canada Child Benefit recipients were eligible for the benefit and that payments were made in a timely and accurate manner.

Report 5—Follow-up Audit on Rail Safety—Transport Canada. This audit focused on whether Transport Canada implemented selected recommendations from our 2013 audit regarding the department’s oversight of the safe transportation of people and goods. In particular, we examined the risk-based planning process and whether the department confirmed that railway companies corrected non-compliances.

The release includes a copy of the already public report of the special examination of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation that is currently available on our website.

Reports of the Auditor General of Canada are made available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website immediately following tabling.

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