The province’s new revised Auditor General Act has been proclaimed into legislation.

The amendments represent a modernization of the previous Act – the first changes made in three decades.

It also aligns the AG’s powers with those of similar offices across the country.

The new legislation will allow the Auditor General access to cabinet records, and the ability to audit the expenditure of government funds including grants provided to individuals, corporations and organizations.

Some key updates to the legislation according to government:

• Enhancing the scope of the Auditor General by making it the default auditor, and coordinator for audits using outside firms, for all Crown agencies;
• Allowing the Office to audit the expenditure of government funds including grants provided to persons, corporations and organizations;
• Allowing the Auditor General access to additional records including cabinet records;
• Enabling the Auditor General to undertake performance audits in addition to financial audits; and
• Adding offences under the Act with penalties for obstruction including fines of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to three months.