BASSO CALLS ON LIBERALS TO STAND UP FOR AUDITOR-GENERAL

Boundary-Similkameen NDP Candidate Marji Basso is urging Liberal MLA John Slater and the rest of the BC Liberals to support the reappointment of B.C’s auditor general.

“Auditor general John Doyle has done a very good job as a watchdog for British Columbians, and now it looks like the Liberals are trying to get rid of him,” said Basso. “I’m concerned that Mr. Doyle’s history of holding the Liberals to account is the reason he is not being re-appointed.”

Basso said government accountability is a top priority for people.

“I have spoken to hundreds of people in the last year, and it’s clear that accountable government is a high priority for voters. It’s disappointing to see such an effective watchdog shown the door by the BC Liberals,” said Basso. “Decisions like this are why people are tired of the BC Liberals and want to see a change in the way their government operates.”

Basso believes Liberal mismanagement makes a strong watchdog like Doyle more important than ever.

“After the HST fiasco, the Liberals are mishandling the transition back to the PST and now they’re wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on a self-promoting ad campaign. They seem to be more focused on getting re-elected than actually governing,” she said. “That’s why we need a strong watchdog in Victoria.”

On Monday BC NDP leader Adrian Dix called on Premier Clark to instruct the Liberal members of the special legislative committee to reconsider their decision not to reappoint Auditor General John Doyle to a second six-year term.