FIRST REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS Second Session Fifty-fifth Legislative Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick June 29, 2005 MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE Mr. Branch, Chair Mr. Sherwood, Vice-Chair Mr. Betts Mr. Carr Mr. MacDonald Mr. Malley Mr. C. LeBlanc Mr. Williams Mr. Allaby Mr. Haché Mr. Jamieson Ms. Weir

June 29, 2005 To The Honourable The Legislative Assembly of The Province of New Brunswick Mr. Speaker: Your Standing Committee on Public Accounts begs leave to submit this, their First Report. The report outlines the activities of the Committee during the First Session of the Fifty-fifth Legislative Assembly. Pursuant to Standing Rule 99, the clerk convened a meeting of the Committee on Wednesday August 6, 2003, and presided over the election of a Chair and Vice Chair. On motion of Mr. Allaby, seconded by Mr. Hac hé, Mr. Branch was elected Chair of the Committee. On motion of Mr. Carr, seconded by Mr.

Ma cDonald, Mr. Sherwood was elected Vice- Chair. The Committee held an organizational meeting on September 30, 2003, to set dates for future meetings and discuss an agenda. On October 9, 2003, the Office of the Audi tor General held an orientation session for members of the Committee. Topics included: Comments on Accountability; the Role of the Office of the Auditor General; the Government’s Annual Report Policy; and Making Use of Annual Reports.

The Committee met in the Legislative Council Chamber on October 9, 10 and November 14, 2003, to review the activities and fi nancial statements of various government departments for the year ending March 31, 2002. Officials of the following departments and offices of government appeared before the Committee: .../2

2 Department of Intergovernmental Affairs Department of Supply and Services Department of Transportation Office of the Auditor General Office of the Comptroller On December 9, 2003, the Committee met in a joint session with the Standing Committee on Crown Corporations to receive and review the Report of the Auditor General of New Brunswick Volume I, 2003. The Auditor General briefed Members on the nature of the work undertaken during the year and on the contents and findings of the Report.

The Committee met on January 6 and 7, 2004, to continue its consideration of departmental reports for the year ending Ma rch 31, 2002. Officials of the following departments and offices of government appeared before the Committee: Department of Business New Brunswick Department of Justice Department of Tourism and Parks Office of Human Resources.

The Committee met in the Legislative Council Chamber on January 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28, 2004, to consider departmental reports and to review the Public Accounts of the Province of New Brunswick for the year ending March 31, 2003 (including the year ending March 31, 2002, where necessa ry).

Officials of the following departments and offices of government appeared before the Committee: Department of Education Department of Family and Community Services Department of Finance (including Service of the Public Debt) Department of Health and Wellness Department of Natural Resources Department of Public Safety Department of Supply and Services Department of Training and Employment Development Office of the Auditor General Office of the Comptroller Office of Human Resources .../3

3 The following motion, moved by Mr. Betts on January 21, 2004, was adopted by the Committee and is recommended to the House:

Whereas it is the responsibility of the Government of New Brunswick to provide all citizens who need it with access to nursing homes;

Whereas it is also the responsibility of the Government of New Brunswick to ensure that all services to its citizens are fiscally managed in an appropriate manner; And

whereas it was noted in this government’s platform entitled “Reaching Higher, Going Further” that the government “ will reduce the burden on seniors requiring nursing home care and their families by a llowing seniors to k eep more of their savings for themselves, their spouses, and their children by raising the cash exemptions”.

Be it therefore resolved that this committee recommend to the Legislative Assembly that it continue to provide support to the government and the Minister of Family and Community Services to bring about a balanced plan that will meet the fiscal needs of the Province of New Brunswick while addressing the financial needs of seniors. The Committee met in the Legislative Council Chamber on February 17, 2004, with respect to the release of the Report of the Auditor General of New Brunswick Volume 2, 2003. The Auditor General, Daryl Wilson, outlined the contents of the Report and answered questions with respect to same.

The Committee met in the Legislative C ouncil Chamber on March 23 and 24, 2004. Officials of the following government departments appeared before the Committee and answered questions with respect to the fiscal year ending March 31, 2003: Department of Business New Brunswick Department of Intergovernmental and International Relations Department of Tourism and Parks Department of Transportation The Committee met on September 15, 2004. The following motion, moved by Mr. Allaby and seconded by Mr.

Betts, was adopted by the Committee: That the Chairman express to the Clerk and staff of the Legislative Assembly the sincere appreciation of the Public Accounts Committee for the excellent work done in hosting the Canadian Conference of Public Accounts Committees here in Fredericton, August 29 to 31, 2004. .../4 The Committee met in the Legislative Council Chamber on September 28, 29, 30, October

4 8, 26, and November 9, 2004, to continue its review of the activities and financial statements of government for the year ending March 31, 2003 (including the year ending March 31, 2002, where necessary).

Official s of the following departments and offices appeared before the Committee: Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat Advisory Council on the Status of Woman Culture and Sport Secretariat Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department of Environment and Local Government Department of Justice Executive Council Office Labour and Employment Board Legislative Assembly Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission New Brunswick Police Commission Office of the Premier Premier’s Council on the Status of Disabled Persons Youth Council of New Brunswick Officials of the Office of the Auditor General appeared on October 26, 2004, with respect to the Report of the Auditor General of New Brunswick Volume 1, 2004 “New Brunswick Salmon Aquaculture”.

On December 14, 2004, the Committee met in a joint session with the Standing Committee on Crown Corporations to receive and review the Report of the Auditor General of New Brunswick Volume 2, 2004. The Auditor General brief ed Members on the nature of the work undertaken during the year and on the contents and findings of the Report. Your Committee wishes to thank the many government officials who appeared during the public sessions and wishes to acknowledge their cooperation in providing follow-up information. And your Committee begs leave to make a further report. Frank Branch, MLA Chairman