Toronto: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) reacted today to the release of the provincial auditor's value-for-money report on the activities of the provincial government.

Lack of monitoring = lack of accountability

According to the report, the government lacks the tools to properly monitor outcomes in several key areas, like health care, social services and the environment. For example, the measurement of air pollution was singled out as an area of specific concern: the Ministry of the Environment spent $28 million on air quality-related programs and activities yet the air quality index "-is not sufficiently informative and misrepresents the health risk associated with pollution levels."

"Not only are taxpayers' wallets at risk, but so is their health. The government must take action to ensure that their money is being spent effectively," commented CTF Ontario Director Tasha Kheiriddin. "If the government can't measure the success or failure of a program, taxpayers' money will just go up in smoke."

PCards abused, luxury cars on public tab

The report also revealed abuses of the purchasing cards (PCards) used by public employees. One employee failed to identify a duplicate charge of $3,900 for the acquisition of four personal digital assistants, and the government failed to recover the money because "too much time elapsed". Another employee had 11 PCard expenses of $9,400 with no supporting documents, including a bill from a ski resort. Of additional concern were egregious travel and entertainment expenses including luxury car rentals and a bill for a $980 dinner, submitted without any breakdown of the charges.

"Taxpayers are being taken to the cleaners. If abuses to the PCard system cannot be curtailed, the system should be scrapped," said Kheiriddin. "And it is scandalous that public servants drive luxury cars at taxpayers' expense when cheaper alternatives are available."

Infrastructure needs remain unmet

The report also predicts that 32% of Ontario's bridges and 45% of the province's roads will need resurfacing or repair within the next five years. According to the report "historical funding levels- will not be sufficient to address those needs."

"Premier McGuinty had an opportunity to allocate two cents a litre of provincial gas taxes to fix Ontario's roads - instead, he is diverting that money solely to public transit in 105 communities, leaving 340 towns and cities with no benefit at all. He should revise this policy and also pressure Ottawa to make good on its promise to deliver five cents per litre of federal gas taxes so Ontario can keep its roads maintained," urged Kheiriddin.