Office of the Auditor General
June 23, 2017

Government Not Prepared for Impact of Changing Demographics

Auditor General, Terry Paddon, delivered his report on Performance Audits of Departments and Crown Agencies to the House of Assembly today in St. John’s. The results of his audit of Government’s Preparedness for Changing Demographics were included in his report.

“Government is not prepared for the impact of changing demographics. Government has not assessed future service needs and has not planned for future costs.”
- Terry Paddon, Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador

The demographics of Newfoundland and Labrador are changing and will continue to change. Most notably, the average age is increasing and the population is shifting from coastal communities to areas closer to the TransCanada Highway and the Avalon. The Auditor General found that most Government departments examined had not assessed future service demand, and they did not have a long-term plan to meet future demands. 

While the Department of Health and Community Services does have a long-term plan that focuses on health service delivery and addresses challenges created by changing demographics, it is not linked to the overall expected impact from demographic change.  Also, the impact of changing demographics is not fully costed and is not integrated into the financial plan of the Province.

The report is available on the Office of the Auditor General website at www.ag.gov.nl.ca/ag/reports.htm

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Media contact:
Terry Paddon
Auditor General
709-729-2700

2017 06 23                                                    9:35 a.m.