Ministry orders financial audit, assessment of APH board

Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins has ordered a financial audit and assessment of Algoma Public Health's board in the wake of revelations that its former interim chief financial officer was convicted of multiple frauds to the tune of more than $2 million.

The following is a letter from Hoskins to APH chair Marchy Bruni dated today:

Concerns regarding the financial management of the public health unit have recently been brought to my attention. I understand that the Algoma Board of Health has indicated that it is conducting an audit through an independent audit firm to ensure the integrity of its financial statements.

As you know however, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (“Ministry”) provides funding to Algoma for the delivery of public health services through its Public Health Funding and Accountability Agreement with the Algoma Board of Health. The Ministry has an interest in ensuring accountability for the expenditure of public funds. The Ministry also has an interest in ensuring the proper quality of the management or administration of the affairs of the board of health and in ensuring that the board of health is complying in all respects with the Health Protection and Promotion Act, the regulations, and the Ontario Public Health Standards. 

Accordingly, I am writing to advise you of my intention to order a financial audit of the board of health under section 8.3 of the Public Health Funding and Accountability Agreement as well as an assessment of the board of health under section 82 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Roselle Martino, Executive Director of the Public Health Division, will be writing to you shortly with further details as to the financial audit and the assessment that will be undertaken.

In addition, I am requesting information from you regarding the scope and timing of the independent audit, as well as a copy of the final report from the independent audit firm, when completed. 

Thank you for your immediate attention to these important matters. 

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Eric Hoskins 

Minister

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