Office of the Auditor General of Canada
OAG
Summary
The Auditor General of Canada is appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of both Houses of Parliament to a single non-renewable 10-year term. The OAG conducts financial and performance audits of federal departments, Crown corporations, and entities that receive federal funds. The Auditor General reports directly to the House of Commons and may only be removed for cause by the Governor General on address of the Senate and House of Commons. Budget is set as a legislative line item, insulating the office from executive discretion. Reports are tabled in Parliament and made public without prepublication review by the executive.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | 10 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Auditor General Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. A-17
- Citation
- R.S.C., 1985, c. A-17
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Federal departments, Crown corporations, and other federal entities; may audit recipients of federal grants or contributions