Two fiscal watchdogs leaving their positions
Auditor general’s, financial officer’s terms expiring
Wanted: two watchdogs.
The Ontario legislature has launched job searches to replace both the auditor general and the financial accountability officer after their respective terms expire.
Auditor general Bonnie Lysyk’s 10-year tenure ends Sept. 2 and financial accountability officer Peter Weltman finishes his five-year post on May 6.
Speaker Ted Arnott has asked the two officially recognized parties in the legislature — the Progressive Conservatives and the New Democrats — to strike panels to select replacement fiscal watchdogs.
Tory MPP Stephen Crawford (Oakville) is his party’s representative to choose Lysyk’s successor. The NDP is expected to confirm France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) will be its panelist.
For Weltman’s replacement, the panel consists of Tory MPP Rick Byers (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound) and New Democratic MPP Catherine Fife (Waterloo).
The Liberals and the Greens have no say in the selection because they lack the necessary 12 seats for official party status in the 124-member legislature.
But all MPPs get to vote on whether to hire the new legislative officers once candidates have been chosen.
Because Weltman’s term ends so soon, it’s expected his deputy, Jeff Novak, will take the reins on an
interim basis.
However, MPPs could grant Weltman a temporary extension and, by law, he can reapply for another fiveyear posting.
Lysyk, whose role is governed by different legislation, can only have her term extended by a unanimous vote of MPPs.
Given the controversy that has swirled around some of her work — both Tory Premier Doug Ford and his Liberal predecessor Kathleen Wynne have criticized her methods and conclusions — that’s unlikely to happen.
But if no permanent auditor is selected before Sept. 2, assistant auditor general Nick Stavropolous would temporarily assume the job.
There are two other job search panels for key posts ongoing at Queen’s Park.
Legislative Affairs Minister Paul Calandra and NDP MPP John Vanthof (Timiskaming-Cochrane) are looking for a new clerk of the legislative assembly to succeed the retiring Todd Decker.
And Tory MPP Trevor Jones (Chatham-Kent-Leamington) and NDP MPP Jennie Stevens (St. Catharines) are selecting a new sergeant-at-arms to replace Jackie Gordon, who retired in December.