Minister Chong is the BC government’s head of all municipalities and it would appear an election promise made by the person who appointed her, Christie Clark, is making all cities, towns and villages sweat  over the issue of a civic auditor.

All municipalities are governed by the province and legislation allows the BC government to step in if there is ever a problem at any time. Why the need for extra scrutiny?

All municipalities have qualified Treasurers, the statements are audited by reputable accounting firms, loans are negotiated through MFA and insurance obtained by MIA – both provincially supervised co-ops.

Can you imagine the cost and the amount of additional paperwork for small towns and villages to report to yet another provincial agency about their balanced budgets.

Both federal and provincial governments do not enjoy a law that says “you must balance your budget each year” and therefore should have extra scrutiny on the millions that pass through their bank accounts.

There is too much paperwork in government as it is without starting more. Honestly this is not a fear of more scrutiny – just the cost and bother.

The Union of BC Municipalities will go into extra session next month to try to address this question – civic auditor general or not.

How will anyone influence a minister to change her mind? Ida Chong will not change her mind or she will forfeit her job. Simple as that.

Maybe it’s time an election.

Jack Bennest, Publisher