Summary#
Bill 393 would amend the rules for appointing the Auditor General of Quebec.
It would provide that the appointment be jointly proposed by:
- the Premier;
- the Leader of the Official Opposition;
- the leaders of other authorized parties represented in the National Assembly.
The appointment would then need to be approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the National Assembly.
The bill would also prohibit the appointment of a person who has held a full-time senior position in the past five years. This rule would particularly target certain senior officials, heads of government agencies, and representatives of Quebec abroad.
The bill would come into force on the date of its assent. The text does not specify the transition rules or how to handle an ongoing appointment.
What This Means for You#
The Auditor General examines the management of public funds and reports its findings to the National Assembly.
If the bill is passed:
- their appointment would require broader political agreement than a simple government decision;
- the government and the represented parties would need to agree on the same candidate;
- the chosen person would need to receive the support of two-thirds of the members;
- certain recent senior government officials could not be appointed for five years after their departure.
The apparent goal is to strengthen the independence of the Auditor General and public trust in this role. However, the rule could make an appointment longer or more difficult if the parties cannot reach an agreement.
Costs#
No cost estimates are provided in the bill.
The main potential financial consequences would be related to the appointment process and possible delays in filling the position. No publicly available information.
Supporters' Viewpoint#
Supporters might argue that the bill:
- reduces the risk of the perception of a partisan appointment by the government;
- requires the main parties to seek an acceptable candidate for a broader majority;
- further protects the independence of the Auditor General;
- prevents a person recently associated with a senior government position from being appointed too quickly to this role;
- increases public trust in audits of public spending and management.
Opponents' Viewpoint#
Opponents might argue that the bill:
- risks further politicizing the process by requiring an agreement among several party leaders;
- could lead to a deadlock if the parties cannot agree on a candidate;
- imposes a five-year restriction that could exclude individuals with relevant experience;
- does not clearly specify the mechanisms to apply in case of disagreement or vacancy;
- could slow down the appointment of the Auditor General.