Standing Committee on Public Accounts

HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES OTTAWA, CANADA K1A 0A6

Comité permanent des comptes publics

For immediate release

Ottawa, June 09, 2005 -

Today, Mr. John Williams, MP, and Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts, tabled the Committee’s report on internal audit in the government of Canada (15th Report, 38th Parliament, 1st Session).

For over 40 years efforts to create effective internal audit in government departments and agencies have produced disappointing results. The quality of internal audit varies between departments and some deputy ministers have yet to fully recognize its value. In a recent example, Public Works and Government Services Canada failed to use internal audit results to put an early stop to problems that eventually led to abuses under the Sponsorship Program.

In its Report, the Committee calls on the government to improve support for internal audit, give overall authority and leadership over internal audit to the Comptroller General of Canada, and ensure that internal audit meets all professional standards. If these recommended improvements occur, senior departmental managers will benefit from an internal audit function that can reduce costs and improve efficiencies.