The B.C. government fired embattled municipal auditor general Basia Ruta on Monday, saying her attempts to obstruct a review of her office created an “intolerable situation.”
Community Minister Coralee Oakes said cabinet dispatched Ruta without severance because the audit council, which oversees the office, determined “that there is cause.”
Oakes said Ruta’s attempts to interfere with the review of her office by former deputy minister Chris Trumpy compounded “the unstable work environment and lack of performance from that office.”
“I believe removing the auditor general is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the office,” Oakes said.
Ruta responded by announcing that she will seek a judicial review of her dismissal. “The manner of removing me from office occurred without adherence to basic principles of procedural fairness,” she said in a statement released by her lawyer.
Ruta said she was let go after requesting that any review preserve her office’s independence and comply with the legislation. “I understand the minister has told the media that I obstructed a review of the office from taking place,” she said. “Insisting on compliance with the act is not obstruction.”
Ruta said the legislation does not allow the audit council to appoint a third party to review her office, nor does it allow the auditor to disclose records to a third party. “The proposed review would have required me to breach the statute,” she said.
Ruta previously questioned Trumpy’s independence, called the review of her office “unlawful” and accused Oakes of political interference.
The dispute stems from concerns about Ruta’s productivity. She began work in January 2013 and promised 18 audits in her first year, but has produced just two audits in two years at a cost of $5.2 million.
The NDP also obtained a leaked report detailing staff frustrations with waste, shifting priorities and unclear directions in Ruta’s office. The Opposition further alleged in the legislature Monday that the audit council wrote to the government in January to say the council had lost confidence in Ruta. Oakes acknowledged the letter, but refused to confirm its contents. She said the government and audit council gave Ruta every opportunity to resolve the issues, but her refusal to agree to the Trumpy review created an “impasse.”
Oakes said that, as required by the Auditor General for Local Government Act, she asked the audit council for a recommendation to remove Ruta, and the council complied.
NDP critic Selina Robinson, who raised the issue in the legislature three weeks ago, said the auditor’s office clearly lacks independence if the minister can simply ask the audit council for a recommendation to fire the auditor. “We know it’s not independent. We’ve certainly seen that demonstrated over the last few weeks. So, to pretend that it is, is a bit of a farce.”
Robinson said it’s clear the government did a poor job planning the office and writing the legislation. “It was the premier’s pet project, not properly thought out, no consultation. Just an idea that flew into her head and she decided [it] was going to happen. This is what happens: You waste taxpayers’ dollars.”
The NDP has said responsibility for scrutinizing local governments should be shifted to the provincial auditor general, who reports to the legislature rather than a single ministry.
Oakes said Monday she remains committed to ensuring the Auditor General for Local Government’s office is successful. But she also it would be prudent to look at the legislation “in case improvement can be made to preserving the independence of this office.”
In the meantime, she said, the audit council will recommend an acting auditor general.
