Auditor general to conduct first comprehensive review of IRAC
Commission was set up in 1991; AG office has yet to look at how it works
The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) will soon be put under the microscope of the province's auditor general.
Auditor General Jane MacAdam has approved a request from the Legislative Audit Committee for a comprehensive review of IRAC.
The commission is best known for setting gas prices, but also oversees some land sales, waste management and rental disputes.
- 'It's gone up again?' P.E.I. gas prices leap in wake of hurricane
- Stratford condo decision overturned by IRAC
Since it was set up in 1991, this is the first time the auditor general will look at how the commission works.
According to opposition leader Jamie Fox, a review is long overdue.
"I think it's time. I think we need to look at how that organization deals with the public and the powers that are entrusted to them," said Fox, who also chairs the province's Legislative Audit Committee.
"IRAC has basically an absolute power given to them," Fox continued to say.
'I think IRAC needs to be restructured'
Fox said he would like the auditor general to look at who's on the commission, how it makes decisions and when they're made public, with the hopes the audit will highlight ways it can improved and modernized.
"I'll make no bone about it. I think IRAC needs to be restructured," he said. "I really have to wonder if politically appointed individuals are best qualified in making these decisions that they're making."
MacAdam said she hasn't started working on the review yet but will begin planning work later this year.
"It would be an examination similar to what we would do in a performance audit," she said.
She also said the review likely wouldn't be ready for this fall's legislative sitting.
- MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Province limits Ontario bee imports in light of beetle infestations
- MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Staycations, camping continue drive to record tourism year