By Claude & Parth on 2026-04-01, City: Ottawa, View Transcript
The Audit Committee reviewed the Auditor General's work from 2025, revealing serious systemic problems across city operations. The meeting highlighted incomplete cybersecurity recommendations, significant hiring irregularities at OC Transpo where unqualified candidates were hired without proper competition, and 34 overdue audit recommendations. The committee also received the 2025 Fraud and Waste Hotline Report, which showed a 14% increase in reports and resulted in five terminations.
Critical cybersecurity recommendations from December 2023 remain incomplete or only partially complete as of 2025. Two recommendations with 2025 deadlines are "still pending," and two others reported as complete in 2024 were found to be only "partially complete" upon verification. The Auditor General emphasized this is "très très importante parce qu'il s'agit d'une priorité très élevée" (very very important because it is a very high priority). Of 25 total cybersecurity recommendations, approximately 20-21 have been completed, with one final item "on track" for completion in the second semester.
An investigation into OC Transpo recruitment practices from 2021-2025 revealed serious violations. The department had 234 management and professional vacancies in 2025, representing approximately 6% of Transit positions. The investigation found 10 instances where positions were not properly posted for competition as required, 10 candidates hired who did not meet basic education and experience prerequisites, and four examples where candidates were selected without proper documentation. The Auditor General stated: "ces individus n'ont jamais satisfait à l'éducation ou à l'expérience requis" (these individuals never met the required education or experience) and the equivalencies granted were "n'étaient pas justifiables" (not justifiable). The Auditor General warned: "Employees could feel that they are not being treated fairly... This could lead to cultural problems within the department and that is a major problem and this could demotivate employees."
The city received 302 reports through its fraud and abuse hotline in 2025, a 14% increase since 2022. The office closed 364 reports, with 138 investigated. Management took 124 corrective measures, including five terminations. The awareness campaign concluded with an 83% increase in cases compared to March of the previous year and a 100% increase in website usage. City employees make up the majority of reports (59%), with only 41% from public members.
The Auditor General reported 34 recommendations are overdue, with 18 delayed by one year or more. Management has reported recommendations as "complete" that were later found incomplete upon verification. The Auditor General stated: "on a confirmé que c'était pas le cas" (we confirmed that was not the case). The office recommended management only report recommendations as complete when there is proof to demonstrate it. Since 2019, 514 total recommendations have been issued, with 397 closed and completed, 100 not yet evaluated, and 16 previously evaluated recommendations remaining open.
The Auditor General issued 12 reports in 2025, a 50% increase over 2024 and 71.4% increase since 2022, with 52 recommendations all accepted by management. Systemic problems identified across multiple audits included: lack of formalized performance metrics to measure whether programs meet objectives, insufficient staffing levels and lack of required competencies among existing staff, and inadequate oversight committees to ensure compliance with policies and laws. Audits covered housing support, paramedic services, development applications, LRT, and the Lansdowne redevelopment project.
The transcript does not provide a complete list of councillors present. Councillors mentioned by name include: - Councillor Brown - Councillor Cau
Also present: - The Auditor General - Deputy Auditor General - Transit General Manager - Various city staff and department representatives