Since the first Provincial Auditor’s report of 2024, the office of the Auditor has completed annual integrated audits of 175 agencies including 17 ministries, 33 Crown corporations and agencies, seven pension and employee benefit plans and 36 healthcare affiliates. Tara Clemett says of that 175 the are only ten agencies where she has concerns, which means the majority had effective financial-related controls, complied with financial and governance-related legislative authorities and prepared financial statements.
There are certain government agencies lacking adequate review and approval of financial information like bank reconciliations, revenue and credit card information and journal entries, which means increased risks of errors and misappropriation of funds. Clemett pointed to the Highways Ministry, Government Relations Northern Municipal Trust Account, the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute, the Western Development Museum and Northlands College. “For example, Northlands College recorded a $10 million cash journal entry twice, in error.”
The report also recommends the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation needs to improve its social housing vacancy rate in Regina. Clemett explains that as of this past May, the Corporation had 534 vacant social housing units in Regina and 364 were out-of-service and needing repairs, while 404 households were waiting for homes. The Auditor recommends looking at who is in what housing because right now there is more demand for family and single person housing than for senior housing.
She notes that 49 per cent of the homes are designated for seniors and 51 per cent for families and single persons, compared to the current demand of 25% for seniors and 75% for families and singles. “Implementing plans including to get vacant units usable, including revisiting the mix of social housing units in homes, can help the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation address long applicant wait lists to house more people in Regina and use public money more effectively.” She adds that the Corporation should also look at how many single people are in two-bedroom units and maybe there could be a switch. Clemett understands that situations change from when someone applies for housing and may no longer need more than one bedroom. In total, according to the Auditor’s report, the vacant social housing in Regina is estimated to cost $1.2 million a year for things like taxes and utility costs.
