Bill 93, Audit Amendment Act (Fairness in Municipal Finances), 2001

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Bill 93 2001

An Act to amend
the Audit Act and to ensure that
municipal restructuring and the
reallocation of responsibilities between
Ontario and its municipalities
do not have an adverse effect on
municipal finances

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1. The Audit Act is amended by adding the following section:

Purpose

30. (1) The purpose of this section is to establish a credible, open and trustworthy mechanism for,

(a) identifying the financial effects of the municipal restructuring and the reallocation of responsibilities between Ontario and its municipalities that have taken place in the years since 1995; and

(b) ensuring that the financial resources of Ontario's municipalities are proportional to their responsibilities.

Investigation, report and recommendations by Auditor

(2) The Auditor shall,

(a) fully investigate and report on the matters described in clause (1) (a);

(b) make detailed recommendations for achieving the goal described in clause (1) (b).

Powers of Auditor

(3) In an investigation under subsection (2), the Auditor has the same powers as in an audit under this Act.

Resources

(4) The Board shall consider what additional resources the Auditor requires to perform the duties set out in subsection (2).

Examples of recommendations

(5) Some examples of recommendations that the Auditor may make under clause (2) (b) are:

1. The further reallocation of responsibilities between Ontario and its municipalities.

2. Further changes in municipal structure.

3. Changes in provincial funding to municipalities.

Interim and final reports

(6) The Auditor may make interim reports to the Speaker of the Assembly and shall make a final report with recommendations to the Speaker on or before December 31, 2002.

Tabling

(7) The Speaker shall lay each report before the Assembly in the same way as an annual report.

Repeal

(8) This section is repealed on December 31, 2003.

Commencement

2. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3. The short title of this Act is the Audit Amendment Act (Fairness in Municipal Finances), 2001.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Audit Act to give the Provincial Auditor the following additional functions:

1. Investigating and reporting on the financial effects of the municipal restructuring and the reallocation of responsibilities between Ontario and its municipalities that have taken place in the years since 1995.

2. Making recommendations to ensure that the financial resources of Ontario's municipalities are proportional to their responsibilities.

A final report on these matters is to be submitted to the Speaker of the Assembly on or before December 31, 2002.