This news release by the NDP just in:
On Wednesday morning, Welland NDP MPP Cindy Forster’s motion before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts calling for the Auditor General to conduct a full audit into the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) was passed. With the passing of the motion, the Auditor General can move forward with an audit.
“For too long, the NPCA has operated in secrecy, with no oversight or transparency,” said Forster. “Be it the recent firing of staff in the watershed department, bullying in the workplace or questionable development practices, Niagara families have a right to know about the operations of their conservation authority. The passing of this motion is an important step to ensuring transparency and accountability at the NPCA.”
For years, the NPCA has faced a string of allegations including employee bullying, mass layoffs, controversial firing practices, questionable positions on the development of sensitive wetlands and inappropriate hiring practices. Several area municipalities have passed motions calling for an audit, including St. Catharines, Hamilton and Welland. Forster and NDP MPP Wayne Gates have continuously called on the Wynne government to act on this issue with Forster calling on the government to appoint a supervisor to oversee the NCPA activities.
“It’s truly disappointing that the Wynne government let things get this far out of hand at the NCPA,” said Forster. “Now, with the Auditor General moving forward with a full audit into the NCPA activities, we can finally begin the process of getting answers for Niagara families. I will continue to raise this issue to ensure accountability and transparency at the NCPA.”
Motion
I move, pursuant to Section 17 of the Auditor General Act, that the Standing Committee on Public Accounts request that the Auditor General conduct a full financial audit of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.
