QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Public Accounts
October 29, 2024
Senator Gold, for the past decade, barring the election years, typically, the Auditor General has signed their independent report in September, and the government tabled public accounts by October 29, today. At Finance Committee last Wednesday, we heard from the Auditor General they have not signed off on their independent auditor’s report on the Government of Canada’s 2024 financial statements because the government has not closed its books. They also said there are accounting issues that the government is trying to resolve.
I am wondering what accounting issues the government is dealing with and when they will be able to table the public accounts.
Thank you for your question. Thank you for bringing this to my attention because I was not aware of this or the appearance, frankly, before the committee. I was not in attendance.
I’m afraid I don’t have the answer to this; clearly, you didn’t get it at committee. I’ll certainly raise it with the minister at the earliest opportunity I have.
Thank you, Senator Gold. The financial statements apparently have not been signed. The Receiver General has indicated that 30 business days are required to prepare all materials for tabling. We’re already looking at a tabling date of at least a month from now. In fact, we know Canada doesn’t adhere to the International Monetary Fund’s standard for advanced fiscal reporting, which recommends governments publish their annual financial statements within six months of the end of the fiscal year.
Is the government concerned with timely access of financial statements for proper parliamentary scrutiny?
Well, indeed, this government, as any government, should be responsive to and responsible for the timely scrutiny. Again, I don’t know the reasons for this particular delay. I will certainly make the inquiries to which I referred.
