Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in the House today to speak about an important issue of internal audits and to assure that our system is accountable, ethical and efficient in a public service. The unit responsible for internal audits for the GNWT is the Audit Bureau. It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that a significant number of important positions in the Audit Bureau are currently vacant. This has been the situation for quite some time. This is a real problem, Mr. Speaker, and something should be done about this concern because it affects all NWT residents.
Mr. Speaker, this issue should be an outrage to all residents when I further explain what is going on. Audits, Mr. Speaker, are more than simply a review of financial statements. Audits are a critical tool for objective reviews of internal government operations. The Audit Bureau is responsible for undertaking critical audits to ensure the government is spending public money in the most efficient way possible. It is about spending tax money as well or better than we would spend our own hard-earned cash. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that this government has gone through a process of financial belt tightening. It is a painful process that all of us would much rather avoid. But, Mr. Speaker, the more we increase our internal efficiencies by putting good practices and procedures in place, the less likely it will be where we will have to find ourselves in a position to avoid ugly cuts such as layoffs and whatnot.
Mr. Speaker, the job of an auditor is to ensure the proper checks and balances are in place and to keep things running efficiently. There are standards that need to be looked at. An auditor is responsible for recommendations on how to increase efficiencies with our government money. This is all great in theory, but what is happening is for the last fiscal year, Mr. Speaker, approximately 25 percent of the Audit Bureau has not been staffed. Through some tracking records, the last five years are even worse; it is more abominable. Mr. Speaker, the capacity has been falling around 50 percent of staff in that area of government.
Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely shameful that this would be happening and nothing is being done. As elected officials, we are accountable for public money. The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board is responsible to make sure the GNWT has the capacity to conduct audits of this type to make sure nothing is going wrong. They are critical to putting a stop to unacceptable drains on public resources. In my view, Mr. Speaker, this should be a priority of this government. Mr. Speaker, at this time, may I ask for unanimous consent to finish my statement? Thank you.