News
Below you will find news releases from the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario. You can browse through them by year.
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2019
2019 Annual Report (December 4, 2019)
News releases and summaries
- Expanded Annual Report Focuses on Health and Safety of Ontarians, Corrections and Justice System, and on the Environment
- Patient Safety Culture Should be Given Higher Priority in Some Hospitals: Auditor General
- Addictions-Related Treatment Wait Times, Emergency Department Visits and Deaths Rising Despite Increased Spending: Auditor General
- Better Co-ordination of Services for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Needed: Auditor General
- More Oversight of Commercial Vehicles Needed to Improve Road Safety in Ontario: Auditor General
- Long-Term-Care Homes Don’t Consistently Follow Residents’ Plan of Care: Auditor General
- Few Risks in Ontario Food Supply But Some Improvements Needed: Auditor General
- Province Could Do More with Repeat Violators to Improve Unsafe Working Conditions: Auditor General
- Lack of Management Oversight Compromises Death Investigations: Auditor General
- ODSP Costs Up 75% in 10 Years: Auditor General
- Province Could Save Millions: Auditor General
- Lack of Information for Legislators on Discretionary Grants: Auditor General
- Horse-Racing Industry Lacking in Public Transparency and Accountability: Auditor General
- OLG’s IT Systems Need Improved Security: Auditor General
- Government Spending on Advertising at Record Low: Auditor General
- Environment Ministry Needs to Lead by Example in Complying with the Environmental Bill of Rights: Auditor General
- Province’s Plan to Address Climate Change Not Yet Supported by Sound Evidence: Auditor General
- Adult Correctional Institutions Not Equipped for Rising Numbers of Inmates on Remand and Those with Mental-Health Issues: Auditor General
- Slow Pace of Modernization Contributes to Growing Delays in Ontario Courts, More Transparency of Court Systems Needed: Auditor General
Special Audit of the Tarion Warranty Corporation—October 30, 2019
Auditor General of Ontario Appoints Commissioner of the Environment—July 8, 2019
Office of the Auditor General Ready for Expanded Environmental Responsibilities—April 1, 2019
Auditor General Prepares for Expanded Environmental Responsibilities—March 15, 2019
2018
2018 Annual Report (December 5, 2018)
News releases and summaries
- Auditor General’s 2018 Annual Report Notes Public Spending Did Not Consistently Bring Anticipated Benefits
- Auditor General Issues “Clean” Opinion on Ontario’s Books
- Ontario Overpaying for Assistive Devices
- Darlington Refurbishment Project Being Diligently Monitored by OPG, But Still Faces Future Risks
- Health Quality Ontario Lacks Ministry, LHINs Support to Accomplish its Mandate
- Ontarians Often Face Steep Costs for Medical Care Outside the Province
- Legal Aid Ontario Spends Millions on Ontario Disability Support Program Cases
- Selection of GO Stations Lacked Transparency and Accountability
- Changes to Metrolinx LRT Projects Cost Millions, Caused Delays
- Most Pressing Cases Get Timely MRI and CT Scans—But Location a Key Factor in Wait Times
- Public Guardian Cannot Fully Demonstrate Main Mandate Being Met
- Non-Repayable Student Grant Costs Rise Dramatically—But Not Enrolments Yet
- Ontario Works Not Meeting Mandate to Help Recipients Obtain Employment and Become Self-Reliant
- Inconsistent Availability and Use of IT in Schools
- TSSA Lacks Effective Licensing and Inspection Processes Required to Protect Public Safety and the Environment
- Costly Consultants Used for Work that Permanent Employees Could Do For Less
- Structural Factors Kept Waterfront Toronto From Effectively Delivering Its Revitalization Mandate
Weak Governance and Operational Practices at NPCA: Auditor General—September 27, 2018
Statement by the Auditor General of Ontario—September 21, 2018
Government Statement on Finances “Not Reasonable”: Auditor General—April 25, 2018
2017
2017 Annual Report (December 6, 2017)
Volume 1 news releases and summaries
- Auditor General’s 2017 Annual Report Identifies Need for Better Government Planning to Act on Known Issues
- Government’s Financial Statements Becoming Increasingly Unreliable
- Large Backlogs Mean Long Delays for Property Owners Awaiting Board Decisions
- Most Cancer Patients’ Needs Being Met—With Exceptions
- Community Health Centres Model Needs More Study To Inform Future Health-Care Planning
- Ontario Not Fully Prepared to Respond to Large-Scale Emergencies
- Some Farm Support Programs Not Meeting Farmers’ Needs
- Lack of Action by IESO Costs Ratepayers Millions
- Province Missed Out on Millions in Laboratory Savings
- School Board Funding Formula Last Fully Reviewed in 2002
- Room for More Savings on Generic Drugs
- Success of Public Health Programs in Preventing Chronic Diseases Unknown
- Government Pays Millions for Hundreds of Buildings That Sit Empty
- Employee Sick Days Up Significantly at School Boards
- Ministry Settlement Funding for Newcomers Needs Better Oversight
- Social and Affordable Housing Needs Growing While Supply Has Been Declining
- Chapter 4
- Government Spending on Advertising at 10-Year High
2017 Annual Report Volume 2 news release
Auditor General Says Provincial Government Plans to Obscure the Financial Impact of Electricity Rate Cuts—October 17, 2017
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Auditor General Says Provincial Government Plans to Obscure the Financial Impact of Electricity Rate Cuts—October 17, 2017
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Independent Auditor’s Report
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Remarks by Bonnie Lysyk on tabling of the Special Report on the Fair Hydro Plan
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Remarks by Bonnie Lysyk on tabling of the Special Report on the Fair Hydro Plan (video)
Ontario Government Understates Annual Deficit and Net Debt: Auditor General—September 7, 2017
Remarks by Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk to The Standing Committee on Justice Policy on Bill 132 Ontario Fair Hydro Plan Act, 2017—May 24, 2017
Auditor General to Government: ‘Show Me the Letter’ (February 16, 2017)
2016
2016 Annual Report (November 30, 2016)
Volume 1 news releases and summaries
- Auditor General’s 2016 Annual Report Identifies Need for Improvements
- Auditor General Issues “Qualified” Opinion on Province’s Books
- More Oversight and Analysis of Child and Youth Mental-Health Agencies Needed
- Ontario’s Cap and Trade Will Not Significantly Lower Emissions Within the Province by 2020
- eHealth Still Unfinished After 14 Years and $8 Billion
- Better Information Needed If Employment and Training Programs are to be Effective
- Environmental Approval Process Not Effective in Regulating Polluters
- Environmental Assessment Process Has Not Kept Up With the Times
- More Attention Needed to Placement of High-Needs Individuals in Mental-Health Housing and Supportive Services
- Summary: 3.07 Housing and Supportive Services for People with Mental Health Issues (Community-Based)
- After Admission, Patients Experiencing Long Waits at Large Community Hospitals for In-Patient Beds and Surgery
- Metrolinx’s Oversight of Consultants and Contractors Not Always Ensuring Value for Money
- Substandard Asphalt Leads to Early Cracking of Provincial Highways
- Ministry Needs to Improve Oversight of Physician Billing and Payment Models
- Ontario Lacks Comprehensive Provincial Mental-Health Standards
- Ministries Generally Following Prudent Procurement Practices
- Public Appointments and Re-Appointments to Agencies, Boards and Commissions not Timely
- Information and Information Technology General Controls
- Government Using Public Funds to Do More Self-Promotion
2016 Annual Report Volume 2 news release
Statement by the Auditor General on Tabling of Public Accounts of the Province (October 6, 2016)
Auditor’s Response to Government’s Release of Unaudited Financial Statements (October 3, 2016)
2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games (June 8, 2016)
Government Payments to Education-Sector Unions (May 18, 2016)
2015
2015 Annual Report news releases (December 2, 2015)
- Auditor General Releases 2015 Annual Report
- Government Needs to Outline How it Plans to Achieve its Targeted Net-debt-to-GDP Ratio of 27%: Auditor General
- Five Years After Last Audit, Home Care Problems Linger: Auditor General
- Children’s Aid Societies Need to Better Adhere to Protection Standards and May Be Closing Cases Too Soon, Auditor General Says
- Province Can’t Ensure Effective Oversight of Children’s Aid Societies, Auditor General Says
- Business Support Funding Lacks Transparency, Overall Strategy and Assessment of Results: Auditor General
- Legally Required Technical Electricity Plan Never Fully Reviewed or Approved: Auditor General
- Hydro One’s Transmission and Distribution Systems Becoming Less Reliable, Yet Costs are Increasing: Auditor General
- Ontario Needs to Better Prioritize Infrastructure Investments: Auditor General
- LHINs’ Marching Orders Not Clear Enough and Performance Gaps Widening, Auditor General Says
- Backlog and Delays in Critical-incident and Complaint Inspections of Long-term-care Homes: Auditor General
- No Co-ordinated Provincial Plan to Prioritize the Cleanup of Contaminated Sites: Auditor General
- Province Could Do More to Encourage Mining Development in Ontario; Long-Term Plan for Inspecting and Rehabilitating Abandoned Mine Sites Needed
- Social-assistance IT System (SAMS) Launched Prematurely with Serious Defects: Auditor General
- Province Could do More to Further Minimize Risks to Students being Transported to and from School, Auditor General Says
- Impact of Provincial Funding for University Research Not Evaluated: Auditor General
- Government Late to Release Annual Reports of its Agencies: Auditor General
Community Care Access Centres—Financial Operations and Service Delivery (September 23, 2015)
Statement from Ontario’s Independent Legislative Officers (May 14, 2015)
The Government’s Proposed Amendments to the Government Advertising Act, 2004 (May 12, 2015)
Budget Bill Guts Government Advertising Act (April 29, 2015)
Winter Highway Maintenance (April 29, 2015)
2014
2014 Annual Report news releases (December 9, 2014)
- Key Issues of Value for Money and Service Delivery Highlighted in Auditor General’s 2014 Annual Report
- Ontario’s Growing Debt a Concern
- Reoffend Rate Remains High for High-risk Offenders
- Some Licensed Child Care Operators Need More Stringent Oversight
- Province Should Better Protect Pension Plan Members
- Health Ministry Lacks Reliable Immunization Coverage Information
- Public–private Infrastructure Projects Can Be Expensive
- MaRS Loan Presents Financial Risk to Taxpayers
- Energy Board Needs to be More Diligent
- No Co-ordinated System for End-of-life Care Despite Growing Need
- Province’s Immigration Selection Program Has Serious Deficiencies
- Outdated Funding Model for Residential Services Not Focusing on Needs of People with Developmental Disabilities
- Rollout of $1.9-billion Smart Metering Initiative Had Serious Shortcomings—Benefits Not Yet Realized
- Key Recommendation Still Not Implemented 14 Years After Walkerton
2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Security (November 26, 2014)
Education Sector Collective Agreements (September 1, 2012–August 31, 2014) (November 19, 2014)
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Modernization Plan (April 28, 2014)
2013
2013 Annual Report news releases (December 10, 2013)
- Programs Need to Ensure Cost-Effective Use of Scarce Public Resources, says Auditor General in 2013 Annual Report
- Children Waiting too Long for Access to Autism Programs
- Ontario-Funded and -Trained Medical Specialist Graduates Leaving Province to Practise Elsewhere
- More Work Needed to Keep Students Healthy
- Land Ambulance Services Not Consistent Across the Province
- OPG’s Generous Compensation and Benefits Negatively Impact Electricity Costs
- Minimal Ministry Oversight Means Parents Need to be Vigilent in Selecting Their Children’s Private School
- Ministry Faces Significant Challenges in Meeting Mandate to Protect Park System
- Lack Of Co-ordinated Hospital Rehab System
- Fewer Errors, Lower Costs and Improved Service Needed at Serviceontario
- Adequacy of Services for Abused Women and Children Unknown
Divestment of Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (December 10, 2013)
Oakville Power Plant Cancellation Costs (October 8, 2013)
Mississauga Power Plant Cancellation Costs (April 15, 2013)
2012
2012 Annual Report news releases (December 12, 2012)
- Tough Times Demand Tough Decisions, Ontario Auditor General says in 2012 Annual Report
- Cancer Screening Programs Should Cast Wider Net
- Attorney General Needs To Better Oversee Prosecution Service
- More Focus Needed on Diabetes Prevention
- Drive Clean Impact on Emissions Decreasing
- Aboriginal Students Need More Help
- Improved Oversight of Diagnostic Services Needed
- MPPs Give Spending Oversight Process Mixed Reviews
- Longer Wait for a Long-term Care Bed
- Cost Overruns Challenge Metrolinx
- OPP Costs Escalate
- Tax Collectors Not Acting Quickly Enough
- Better Information on Professor Teaching Quality Needed
- Costs for Youth Justice Program Soar
Ornge Air Ambulance and Related Services (March 21, 2012)
2011
2011 Annual Report news releases (December 5, 2011)
- “Good Decisions Require Good Information,” Ontario Auditor General says in 2011 Annual Report
- Ontario Drivers Pay More for Auto Insurance
- Electricity-consumer Protection Changing
- Renewable Energy Requires Cost-benefit Evaluation
- Consumers Entitled to Update on Electricity Debt Retirement Charge
- Tighten Oversight of Forest Companies’ Reforestation Efforts
- More Funding for Doctors May Not Mean Improved Access
- Health Ministry has Trouble Monitoring Specialists’ Pay
- LCBO Doesn’t Use Buying Power to Get Lowest Prices from Suppliers
- Fewer Low-income People Qualify for Legal Aid
- Children’s Lawyer Provides Valuable Service But Not Meeting Deadlines
- Trillium Foundation Should Strengthen Grant Management Processes
- Some Private Career Colleges Remaining Open Illegally
- Student Success Strategy Working, But Could Be More Effective
- Supportive Services Agencies Operating with Inadequate Ministry Oversight
The Auditor General’s Review of the 2011 Pre-Election Report on Ontario’s Finances (June 28, 2011)
2010
2010 Annual Report news releases (December 6, 2010)
- Auditor General Focuses on Health, Public Protection in 2010 Annual Report
- Casino Patrons Can Rely on Provincial Oversight
- Many Waiting Too Long To Be Discharged From Hospital
- Delays Afflict Family Responsibility Office and Its Clients
- Ontarians Not Receiving Same Level of Home-care Service
- Emergency-Room Wait Times Still Too Long
- College Infrastructure Continues to Deteriorate
- Infrastructure Recipients Scramble To Finish Line
- Too Many Outdated Property Assessments
- Waste Diversion Falling Far Short of Government’s Goal
- More Work Needed To Help Those Awaiting Organ Donations
- Unclear Whether Safe School Initiatives Are Working
- Auditor General Cites Ministries for Ad-review Offences
Consultant Use in Selected Health Organizations (October 20, 2010)
OLG’s Employee Expense Practices (June 1, 2010)
2009
2009 Annual Report news releases (December 7, 2009)
- Spend Money Like It Was Your Own, Says Auditor General
- WSIB’s Unfunded Liability and Slow-starting Infrastructure Grants a Concern
- Payments for Assistive Devices Poorly Controlled
- Ontario’s Bridges Not Being Properly Inspected Nor Repaired As Needed
- Consumer-protection Services Flying Below Public’s Radar
- Education Quality and Accountability Office Must Provide Stronger Oversight
- Some Government User Fees May Be In Jeopardy
- Infection-control Processes at Long-term-care Homes Need to Improve
- Literacy Secretariat Not Effectively Targeting Its Spending
- OntarioBuys Savings Didn’t Go to Front-line Services
- Inadequate Checking of Eligibility for Disability Benefits
- Ontario-funded Research Not Marketplace Focused as Promised
- Ontario Works Payments Need More Scrutiny
- Province Has Little Data on Condition of Social Housing
- Telephone Health Services: Too Few Calls, Too Many Hang-ups, Says Auditor General
- WSIB’s Unfunded Liability Could Threaten Future Benefits
- Ad Review Law Working Well but Auditor General Cites a Few Concerns
Ontario’s Electronic Health Records Initiative (October 7, 2009)
2008
2008 Annual Report news releases (December 8, 2008)
- Better Oversight Needed Says Auditor General of Ontario
- Auditor Concerned About Government Legislating Accounting Rules
- Many Addicts Not Getting Treatment
- Jail Costs Rise as Inmate Population Soars
- Lessons to be Learned from P3 Hospital Project
- Kids’ Mental Health System a “Patchwork”
- Collision Rates Involving Commercial Vehicles On the Rise
- Community-living Services for Mentally Ill Fall Short
- Court Backlogs Getting Worse
- Over Half of Apprentices Don’t Complete Training
- Food-safety Measures Need Improvement
- Ontario Missing Out on up to $500 Million a Year
- Hospital Boards Becoming More Effective
- Clean Water Agency Doing Adequate Job
- Fine-tuning Needed for Plan to Fix Ontario’s Schools
- Special Ed Funding Up 54%—Is it Paying Off?
Prevention and Control of Hospital-acquired Infections (September 29, 2008)
AgriCorp—Farm Support Programs (July 15, 2008)
Follow-up of 2006 Audits of the Child Welfare Services Program and Four Children’s Aid Societies (January 29, 2008)
2007
2007 Annual Report news releases (December 11, 2007)
Year-end Grants Provided by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (July 26, 2007)
The Auditor General’s Review of the 2007 Pre-Election Report on Ontario’s Finances (June 18, 2007)
Last revised 2020-07-08
