Environment & Natural Resources

Managing Hazardous Spills in B.C.

Cover of the Managing Hazardous Spills in B.C. report
Date: 
February 2024

Thousands of spills are reported every year in B.C. – and the number has been going up. These spills can present potential harm to people and the environment. 

Our audit examined whether the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, through the Environmental Emergency Program, had effectively managed hazardous spills.  

hazardous spills, spills, environment, climate change, report, audit

Oversight of Major Mines: Policies and Procedures to Address Environmental Risks

Report cover image showing major mine site
Date: 
June 2022

Mining is an important source of jobs, government revenues, and regional development in the province, but can present environmental and public safety risks if not well managed. 

In this audit, we wanted to see if the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation had improved its oversight activities since our related 2016 report.

mine, mining, policies, regulations, regulatory, framework, environment, major mines, energy, B.C., public safety

Fraud Risk Management: Site C Dam and Hydroelectric Energy Project

Site C dam
Date: 
April 2022

Site C is the largest and most expensive infrastructure project in B.C.’s history, with an estimated cost of $16 billion. Our audit looked to determine if BC Hydro has established a program to effectively manage fraud risk for the project.

fraud, risk, dam, Site C, BC Hydro, infrastructure, B.C., energy, hydro, power

Oversight of Dam Safety in British Columbia

Date: 
September 2021

This audit examined whether the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development has effectively overseen the safety of dams in B.C. 

The ministry's oversight involves promoting, verifying, and enforcing dam owners' compliance with regulatory requirements.

The report covers the ministry’s oversight of the safety of 1,900 regulated dams; dams that are being built, such as Site C, were not included in the audit.

dam safety oversight forests lands natural resources ministry infrastructure

Management of the Conservation Lands Program

Date: 
May 2021

This audit examined whether the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development has effectively managed the Conservation Lands Program to conserve important habitats for significant fish and wildlife species such as species at risk and migratory birds.

conservation lands program wildlife birds management areas WMA

The BC Oil and Gas Commission’s Management of Non-Operating Oil and Gas Sites

Date: 
March 2019

In this audit, we focused on how the BC Oil and Gas Commission is managing the environmental and financial risks of non-operational oil and gas well sites.

oil gas commission OGC environmental financial risk BCOGC well sites

Independent Audit of Capital Asset Management in BC Hydro

Date: 
December 2018

In this audit, we looked at capital asset management in BC Hydro. Specifically we looked at whether BC Hydro was managing its assets well through appropriate information, practices, processes and systems. We found that it is.

BC Hydro BCHydro Captial Asset Management

Perspectives on Climate Change Action in Canada - A Collaborative Report from Auditors General

Date: 
March 2018

This collaborative audit provides an overall and independent assessment of the state of climate change action in Canada, based on audit work released over the last 18 months by the auditors general across the country. A recording of the webinar is on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada's website.

Managing Climate Change Risks: An Independent Audit was published by our office in February 2018.

collaborative audit canada federal climate change

Observations on the BC Utilities Commission

Date: 
March 2018

This information report draws attention to key aspects of government task force reviews of the BC Utilities Commission that still warrant government’s consideration. The report also describes the roles and responsibilities of the commission.

bcuc utilities commission information observations regulator
Report: 
News Release: 

Managing Climate Change Risks: An Independent Audit

Date: 
February 2018

This audit looked at whether government is adequately managing the risks posed by climate change.

This audit was part of a collaborative climate change audit across Canada titled Perspectives on Climate Change Action in Canada.

climate change adaptation mitigation

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