and Sustainable Development
Amendments to the Auditor General Act in 1995 encouraged stronger federal government performance in environment and sustainable development and created the position of Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.
As early as 1989, environment, conservation and Aboriginal groups had identified the need for the federal government to do more on on environment and sustainable development issues, and to be held more accountable for that performance.
Parallels were drawn with the Auditor General's role in helping Parliament hold government accountable for the collection and spending of public funds. What was needed was an environmental equivalent to the Auditor General.
In May 1995, the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development recommended the establishment of a Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. The proposed Commissioner would be independent of government, and would have two main roles:
The role of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development is to assist parliamentarians in overseeing the federal government's efforts to protect the environment and foster sustainable development, by providing them with objective, independent analysis and recommendations.
Making the government accountable for greening its policies, operations and programs is a key part of the Commissioner's mandate. The Commissioner monitors and reports annually to the House of Commons on progress toward sustainable development.
The Commissioner also assists the Auditor General in the performance of his duties related to environment and sustainable development issues.
Traditionally the Office of the Auditor General has conducted audits that look at economy, efficiency and effectiveness of government activities — known as the three "Es". With the amendments to the Auditor General Act, "environment" formally becomes the fourth "E". The Auditor General now takes all four elements into consideration when deciding what to report to the House of Commons.
In October 1995, the government responded to the committee's recommendations by proposing the creation of a Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development within the Office of the Auditor General and requiring ministers to prepare sustainable development strategies for their departments and to table them in the House of Commons.
The Commissioner's Mandate
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