RICHMOND Councillor Kash Heed, New Westminster Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas and Burnaby Councillor Richard T. Lee have in an open letter to Premier David Eby stressed “the urgent need for stronger financial oversight of municipal governments and regional bodies across British Columbia” and are urging him to “either reinstitute the Office of the Municipal Auditor General or expand the mandate of the BC Auditor General to include municipal and regional government expenditures.

Here is their letter:

Dear Premier Eby,

We are writing to express our collective concern regarding the urgent need for stronger financial oversight of municipal governments and regional bodies across British Columbia.

The recent revelations involving the City of Richmond—where hundreds of thousands of dollars were reportedly spent on gift cards, now the subject of a police investigation—underscore a serious gap in accountability and financial controls. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident.

Over the past year, Metro Vancouver has also faced public scrutiny over questionable expenditures, including lavish business-class travel, unnecessary sponsorships, and other spending that appears disconnected from the priorities of local taxpayers. Additionally, there are still no clear public answers regarding the staggering cost overruns and delays related to the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant in North Vancouver—an issue that raises serious concerns about fiscal responsibility and governance.

These examples reflect a broader systemic issue: the absence of consistent, independent financial oversight at the municipal and regional levels. For that reason, we urge your government to either reinstitute the Office of the Municipal Auditor General or expand the mandate of the BC Auditor General to include municipal and regional government expenditures.

British Columbians deserve transparency, accountability, and confidence that their tax dollars are being managed responsibly. Establishing or expanding an independent auditing framework is a critical step in restoring public trust and preventing future misuse of public funds.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your staff to discuss possible actions.

THE councillors said that an online petition has also been launched asking the public to weigh in on whether they would like the Premier to reintroduce a Municipal Auditor General or expand the powers of the current Auditor General to cover municipal expenditures.

To access the petition click here.