Accountability is the cornerstone of good government.

The Provincial Government states, “Local governments, as public bodies, are accountable for the manner in which they spend their funds.”

The Province has a Budget Transparency and Accountability Act to regulate its financial affairs.

In 2011, the Office of the Auditor General for Local Government (AGLG) was established through the Auditor General for Local Government Act. The purpose of the AGLG is to conduct performance audits of the operations of local governments in order to provide local governments with objective information and relevant advice that will assist them in their accountability to their communities for the stewardship of public assets and the achievement of value for money in the operations.

• Make a suggestion where the Auditor General for Local Government (AGLG) can be most helpful to British Columbia’s local governments by conducting performance audits that may identify ways to improve value for money or highlight best practices.

In 2012, the BC Ombudsperson released its “Fostering Openness, Transparency and Accountability in Local Government Meetings” .

• Click here for the guide “Open Meetings: Best Practices Guide for Local Governments“
• Click here to file a complaint with the BC Ombudsperson.

The BC Chamber of Commerce supports Accountability and Transparency for Local Government.

In reviewing the Policy Manual adopted by Council on July 8, 2008,  a word search did not turn up ANY  reference to “accountability”.

In the City of Richmond Policy Manual, the Council does not appear to have adopted any policies on ethics, openness, transparency, and accountability. One should try a word search on the Richmond website for Policy Manual  just to demonstrate how transparent and open it really is.

It seems that ethics, openness, transparency, and accountability remain unaddressed by Council.

It’s time for change!