The True Post (Web News) The Auditor General released a report stating that the Alberta government failed to use day care funds effectively and transparently.
Alberta’s Auditor General, Doug Wylie, has expressed concern in a report that the provincial government has not taken sufficient steps to ensure that daycare operators use federal and provincial funding to reduce parent fees or increase staff wages. According to the report, the provincial government’s lack of proper scrutiny of funding claims poses a risk of misuse of public funds. An audit of 25 daycares found serious irregularities in attendance records,
Including exaggerated figures and duplicate claims. In one case, the government had to overpay almost $26,000 in just one month. Doug Wylie said: “These are public funds, and transparency, accountability and accuracy should be the main principles in their use. When the verification system is weak, public trust is also affected.” Key points: In 2023-24, Alberta spent more than $1 billion on day care and child care. The audit found the government’s oversight system ineffective in more than 2,600 facilities. The government also has no effective system for properly using special funds that increase staff salaries.
The Auditor General has recommended that the government improve verification mechanisms and strengthen oversight over the use of funds. Government response: Education and Child Care Minister Demetrios Nicolaides responded to the report, saying: “We welcome the Auditor General’s recommendations and are taking steps to make the claims system more transparent, accurate and effective.” Opposition position: NDP critic for children and family services, Diana Batten, called the report a “double whammy for parents,” saying: “This is a clear example of mismanagement of funds and government indifference. Parents are facing further hardship while the well-being of children is being compromised.”
