What We Do
The role of our Office is to conduct independent audits and report on how well the provincial government and broader Ontario public sector are managing resources and responsibilities. Our work contributes to improved financial reporting, programs, and services that benefit the people of Ontario.
Our Office will consider information received from the public and Members of Provincial Parliament as part of our audit selection process. We may also review a request as part of an audit in progress, or may initiate a special audit depending on the significance of the issue raised. As part of this, we may review issues of financial waste, program inefficiencies or mismanagement.
For more information about our mandate, see the kinds of audits and what is audited.
Please note that the Auditor General’s mandate does not include:
- Individual cases
- Contact the Ontario Ombudsman for complaints about an Ontario government ministry, agency, board, commission, tribunal, municipality, university or school board
- Municipal or regional governments
- Contact the Ontario Ombudsman for complaints about an Ontario municipality
If you are unsure of who to contact, see our list of resources.
We do not respond to all enquiries, but if you contact us, we will reach out if we need further information.
What We Don’t Do
Ontario’s Auditor General Act sets out our roles and responsibilities.
We are unable do any work that isn’t part of the Act. Our work doesn’t involve anything related to disputes between individuals. We don’t audit local (municipal) government spending. We don’t review legal opinions or court decisions.
One of the other independent offices of the Legislative Assembly might be helpful for matters that are outside of our mandate:
- Elections Ontario administers provincial general elections and by-elections, and oversees provincial and local campaign financing and advertising.
- The Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario was established to encourage high standards of ethical conduct for Members of Provincial Parliament. It is an independent ethics leader, working to encourage and support high ethical standards that strengthen trust and confidence in the Ontario government.
- The Ontario Human Rights Commission exists to address the root causes of inequality, discrimination and injustice in Ontario by shifting laws, policies, practices, and cultures.
- The Information and Privacy Commissioner provides independent oversight and enforcement of Ontario’s access and privacy laws.
- The Ontario Ombudsman investigates complaints from members of the public about the administration of government programs and services.
- The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency is responsible for receiving, managing and overseeing public complaints about misconduct of the following:
- All municipal, regional, and provincial (OPP) police officers;
- Special Constables employed by the Niagara Parks Commission;
- Peace Officers in the Legislative Protective Service; and
- First Nations police officers if the police service opts into the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA).
- The Ontario Ombudsman | Children and Youth resolves and investigates complaints about any matter concerning children and youth receiving services from Ontario children's aid societies, Indigenous child and family well-being agencies, foster homes, group homes, secure treatment facilities and youth justice facilities.
