Government will 'act swiftly' on e-gaming report

The P.E.I. government will take Wednesday's auditor general report as a reminder that transparency and accountability must be at the core of its decisions and actions, says Premier Wade MacLauchlan.

• 'Lack of due regard for transparency' in e-gaming file says P.E.I. auditor general

Auditor General Jane MacAdam's report on the province's failed effort to establish P.E.I. as an e-gaming centre found "numerous examples of non-compliance with legislation, policies and controls."

MacLauchlan said government must strive to better.

"We'll act on all 15 recommendations," he told CBC News: Compass.

"Some of which are already in motion, others will be and Islanders are going to see this acted on with the highest priority and with speed."

Robert Ghiz, who was premier at the time, has told CBC News he will not make a comment on the report at this time.

'Fast and loose'

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives questioned the government's commitment to change.

"This report paints a picture of a government that plays fast and loose with taxpayer money and breaks the rules when it sees fit," said public accounts committee chair James Aylward.

In particular, the PCs criticized the choice of Finance Minister Allen Roach to follow up on the report, given that he was innovation minister starting in Oct. of 2011.

"Islanders would be right to question the impartiality of Minister Roach," said Aylward.

The Tories also renewed their call for a public inquiry.

Criminal investigation needed, say NDP

Provincial NDP Leader Mike Redmond said he sent a copy of the report to the commercial crime division of the RCMP.

"This is no longer an internal review of government affairs, this requires a thorough police investigation andwith a view to charges being laid," said Redmond in a news release.

Redmond said every government member that was in cabinet at the time needs to be held responsible. That would include several current members of cabinet.

MacAdam said while she found several instances in which government policy and legislation wasn't followed, she didn't believe this was a criminal matter.

Progress made, counters premier

MacLauchlan said since he became premier in February of last year the government has made progress in becoming more transparent and accountable.

He cited new conflict-of-interest rules and post-retirement restrictions for senior officials, more transparent disclosure of government expenses, and the creation of an ethics and integrity commissioner.

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