Audit the SCRD now!

Please do not sign if you do not live on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia

We are encouraged by the progress that has been made since the Ministry’s press release of February 14, 2012 announcing the formation of the department of the “Auditor General for Local Government” (AGLG). It is our understanding that they will be conducting performance audits to provide local governments with objective information and advice to help them be accountable to their communities for their stewardship of public assets and their achievement of value for money in their operations. It is our opinion and those who have indicated their support on this petition that the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) should be prioritized given a number of financial inconsistencies and creative accounting that have led us to a sense of urgency in addressing how our tax dollars are being managed.

Our concerns are multitudinal, but may be summarized as an apparent burgeoning and excessive growth within our Sunshine Coast Regional District expenses. Given our collective population of roughly 30,000 residents, and the existence of 3 Municipalities (Sechelt, Gibsons and the Sechelt Indian Government District), we feel that our Regional District encompasses the many aspects worthy of examination by the AGLG without becoming too complicated.

There is much dissatisfaction growing amongst residents within the SCRD and this discontent is not isolated in any specific municipality or rural area. In fact, it is spread throughout the RD. The seemingly endless growth in the numbers of RD staff; the agony of the current budget process exhibiting the staff's 'wish list' of continuing largesse; the rampant growth of RD spending, especially when compared to any population growth; and, the seemingly impenetrable regime of arbitrary and unsupportable actions by the RD staff all add up to a situation begging an objective audit. Hence, our request for the prioritization of conducting an audit of the Sunshine Coast Regional District.

Over the past ten years, many coast residents have been collecting financial statements, researching specific actions and events, and requesting specific information from our RD and have compiled a significant amount of data that could be used as a starting point to help target the AGLG's efforts. We would be pleased to provide an opportunity to meet and discuss the specifics with the AGLG and its staff.

About AGLG: http://www.aglg.ca/

The Auditor General for Local Government was established by the Province of British Columbia through legislation. By conducting performance audits, we provide local governments with objective information and advice to help them be accountable to their communities for their stewardship of public assets and their achievement of value for money in their operations.