Minister comments on Auditor General�s report

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, says government will act quickly to review the Auditor General�s 2002 report that was tabled in the legislature today, and will take appropriate action on items identified by the auditor general.

"We take the auditor general�s review of our accounting procedures very seriously. We welcome his recommendations, many of which we have already acted on or are already being addressed" she said. "After further analysis of his report, we will act on other recommendations that have come forward and make improvements that are in addition to those already acknowledged by the auditor general."

Referring to the audited financial statements she recently released, Minister Aylward noted that the auditor general�s comments on these statements clearly indicates that government operates within normal and appropriate accounting practices.

"We are providing proper financial management of the province, and will continue to do so. This is a responsibility we take very seriously and we exercise due diligence in ensuring that government operates within normal and appropriate accounting practices," she said.

The auditor general conducts an annual audit of all government accounts, following which a report on the audit is released in the legislature and to the public.

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications (709) 729-0329

2002 12 17                                        3:30 p.m.