Auditor general to release reports on emissions, dental care and military ammunition

OTTAWA · The federal spending watchdog will release a series of report cards today tracking government agencies' progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and working toward a ban on the export of thermal coal. Auditor General Karen Hogan's latest batch of reports will also evaluate efforts to reduce health and environmental risks from pesticides, manage the Canadian Dental Care Plan and oversee the national emergency stockpile. Other audits will examine the activities of Canada's anti-money laundering centre, the Canadian Armed Forces' management of ammunition and the federal border agency's collection of customs duties and taxes. Hogan plans to hold a media conference to discuss the reports after they are tabled in the House of Commons.

Liberal cabinet ministers and opposition MPs are also expected to comment on the auditor's findings. The reports represent the auditor general's independent assessment of how federal departments and agencies are performing in key areas of public spending and policy implementation. The report on greenhouse gas emissions and the proposed ban on thermal coal exports will be closely watched, as the government has set targets for reducing Canada's carbon footprint. The audit of the Canadian Dental Care Plan will provide an early look at the management of the new federal program designed to provide dental coverage to eligible Canadians. The examination of the national emergency stockpile follows heightened scrutiny of Canada's preparedness for health emergencies after the COVID-19 pandemic. The audit of military ammunition management comes as the Canadian Armed Forces modernizes its equipment and supply chains.

The review of pesticide risks will assess whether federal regulations are adequately protecting health and the environment. The customs duties audit will focus on the Canada Border Services Agency's systems for collecting government revenue at the border. The separate report on call centre system procurement will look at whether several agencies managed procurement and contracts of selected call centre systems with regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness. This audit will examine if the government achieved value for money in these specific technology procurements. The auditor general's reports typically include recommendations for improvement where deficiencies are found. Government departments are then expected to develop action plans to address the auditor's findings. Hogan's media conference will provide her office's overall perspective on the results of these audits.

With files from The Canadian Press, Global News and Toronto Star