Many of the issues reported on in the Auditor General's report can be attributed to the need for more diligent monitoring. In the final paragraphs of the report, the Auditor General highlights the need for monitoring investments.

"Monitoring is highly important for the Government to know that its funding is achieving the results it expects (par. 8.8)".

This statement can be extrapolated and applied to all government activities -- monitoring is needed for the government to know it is achieving the results it expects.

Unfortunately, the government appears to be delegating authority and resources without having the necessary systems for monitoring, evaluation and accountability in place. Changes have been made to the Government organization to address financial restraint but corresponding systems for monitoring and evaluation were ignored. This has resulted in a situation where we have delegation without monitoring and accountability.

The committee is alarmed over the government's inability to take action when a department or corporation does not follow proper procedures. There appears to be nothing other than withholding managerial bonuses or in the extreme case, termination, to deal with transgressions. Time and again Members have been informed that ultimately, the Ministers and deputy ministers are responsible for their departments. However, when a department or agency is found in violation of government procedures, are these not the people held accountable? What are the consequences and where are the accountability frameworks? During the review, the comptroller general commented that there are limited tools in the government to get prompt adherence to procedures. When breeches of government procedures occur and no corrective actions are taken, public perception of government accountability suffers.