Catherine Fife MPP, Waterloo

Government of Ontario

NDP calls on Ford to expedite search for independent Financial Accountability Officer

Published on May 3, 2023

QUEEN’S PARK – Official Opposition Leader Marit Stiles (Davenport) and NDP Finance critic Catherine Fife (Waterloo) thank Peter Weltman for leading the Financial Accountability Office for the past five years.

The work from this office has assisted MPPs from all parties in their legislative work and duties.  

Fife pointed to the critical work of the independent, non-partisan Financial Accountability Office. “Transparency and accountability in provincial government are more important than ever,” Fife said.

“There is a lot of support to maintain the integrity of this office, especially given this current political environment.” 

Weltman’s term is set to end on Friday, and the selection process has yet to begin.

The NDP are calling on Ford’s Conservatives to speed up the search, which should have started months ago, with clear deadlines and objectives. 

The selection process will involve a legislative committee comprised of one representative from the two officially recognized parties in the Legislature. Fife will represent the NDP.  

The Ontario NDP forced the then-governing Liberals to create the FAO when the NDP held the balance of power in 2013.