(December 3, 2021) – David Brazil, PC Official Opposition Leader and MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island, says Premier Furey needs to address why he’s allowing the Department of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation to break the law regarding the latest Auditor General’s report.

Section 17 of the Auditor General’s Act states “the auditor general shall be given access to all books, accounts, financial records, reports, electronic data processing records, explanations, files and all other papers, things or property belonging to or in use by the department, agency of the Crown or Crown controlled corporation and necessary to the performance of the duties of the auditor general.”

In her report regarding the failure of the Liberal government to keep their promise to Labrador Indigenous populations to cap the wetlands at the Muskrat Falls reservoir, the Auditor General wrote:

“The senior management at the current Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation did not accept the criteria of our audit as suitable. The senior management also did not acknowledge their responsibility for the audit subject matter and the terms of the audit, including audit objective, scope, and approach. The senior management of the current Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation also did not confirm that they had provided the Office of the Auditor General with all information of which they were aware that had been requested or that could significantly affect the findings or conclusions of the audit report.”

“The Premier has a problem on his hands. On his watch, the Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation is actively antagonizing the Auditor General on this critically important matter to Labrador Indigenous populations and their concerns over methylmercury,” said Brazil.

“So far, Furey nor his Minister have addressed the reasons why the law is being broken. Does Furey have total disregard for public accountability? Why does he believe it is acceptable for a Minister to allow this kind of behavior? Is this what openness and transparency looks like to Premier Furey?”

Brazil is calling on Furey to address these questions and direct his Minister to cooperate with the Auditor General, providing to her office all records that were requested and denied through the course of her investigation.

“This behavior is unacceptable. It cannot be tolerated. Furey needs to address this situation,” said Brazil.

“Otherwise, he’s allowing his government, his cabinet, to break the law.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca