Auditor General reviews options for getting documents
Posted Jun 3, 2010 01:06:18 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Auditor General Jacques Lapointe says he’s reviewing his options for gaining access to hundreds of confidential government documents.
Speaking on Maritime Morning with Andrew Krystal Thursday, Lapointe says court action is one of his options.
“Subpoena is one of my options,” he says. “And, it’s certainly something I have to consider.”
Lapointe says he and his staff have the authority to view more than 200 confidential documents that, right now, are being withheld by the Nova Scotia government.
He says the documents are needed to complete an audit of Nova Scotia Business Incorporated and cabinet’s Industrial Expansion Fund.
But Lapointe says he’s hesitant to launch a legal battle over the information.
“Rather than waste that kind of money on conflict to see if I can put the facts out in the open, I say, let’s just resolve this. It’s within the power of government to resolve it.”
Lapointe says he’s never had to abandon a government audit before.
