Work in Progress

The COVID-19 pandemic had a major economic impact on B.C., leading to job losses, business closures, and disruptions to supply chains. 

In September 2020, the province announced $1.5 billion in funding for a variety of programs to help promote a sustainable economic recovery. This included the Destination Development grant stream of the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program, which supported the development and repair of tourism infrastructure and amenities. This grant stream is under the same program as the Community Economic Resilience stream we reported on in June 2022.

This audit will examine whether the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport administered the Destination Development grant stream according to government financial policy and program guidelines. 

It will look at: 

• Assessment of funding applications 
• Contract stipulations and reporting requirements
• Distribution of funding 
• Ministry oversight 

For more information, watch the auditor general's announcement video.

Updated: October 2022

This audit will examine whether the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) provides Indigenous clients with mental health and/or substance use disorders with access to related health services while incarcerated. 

We will look at whether the PHSA: 

• screens people for mental health and substance use disorders during intake,
• provides access to services that address a clients’ mental health and substance use needs during incarceration,
• plans for clients’ release by identifying health services and making referrals. 

This audit will focus exclusively on access to existing mental health and substance use services from intake to discharge. It will not examine the quality of these services or whether they are culturally appropriate for the population served.  

For more information, watch the auditor general's announcement video.

Updated: May 2022

In March 2020, the Government of British Columbia declared a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The health system’s resources were engaged in managing two public health emergencies: COVID-19 and the toxic illicit drug supply. 

At the request of Vancouver Coastal Health, and based on consultations with the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, our office agreed to postpone our audit work related to substance use services at that time. 

We have now resumed planning this audit and expect to release a report in 2023.  

Updated: March 2022

The COVID-19 vaccination program is critical to B.C.’s response and recovery from the pandemic. The Ministry of Health delivered vaccinations in a rapidly developing and ever-changing environment. To date, millions of doses have been administered across the province.

Our audit will determine whether the Ministry of Health had the information to monitor the COVID-19 vaccination rates by location, age, and certain population groups – particularly long-term care and assisted living residents and staff, and health-care workers – from December 2020 to February 2022.

Our audit will look at:

• How information was collected to monitor COVID-19 vaccination rates.
• Processes used to determine COVID-19 vaccination rates.
• Reporting to key decision makers.

Watch the auditor general's announcment video for more information.

Updated: June 2022

The B.C. government's Diversity and Inclusion Strategy shows how the province plans to make sure its workforce reflects everyone, including: 

• Indigenous people, 
• members of minority communities, 
• immigrants, 
• people with disabilities, and
• the LGBTQ2S+ community. 

Our audit will determine whether the Public Service Agency’s strategy included an effective governance framework – an important component for the success of efforts like these.

We will look at whether the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy’s governance framework included: 

• clear direction, 
• risk management,
• oversight, and
• performance monitoring. 

For more information, watch the auditor general's announcement video.

Updated: October 2022

Fraud poses a significant financial and reputational threat, which makes it essential to manage the risk.

Every year, as part of our annual audit of government’s summary financial statements, we perform a fraud risk assessment. This year, as part of that risk assessment, we issued a standardized questionnaire to every government ministry and 25 Crown organizations.

Each ministry and Crown organization is responsible for its own fraud risk management framework. 

To be effective, these frameworks need to include clear policies and procedures. Leadership must demonstrate commitment to a workplace culture of honesty and ethical behaviour, and place a strong emphasis on fraud prevention, deterrence and reporting in the workplace.

In early, 2023, we’ll release two reports – one on Crown organizations and one on ministries – based on the results of the fraud risk management questionnaire.

Watch the auditor general's announcement video.

Updated: November 2022