HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s auditor general wants the provincial government to withdraw a bill that allows her to be fired without cause.

Kim Adair told reporters today the proposed changes threaten her independence and permit the government to veto the release of “any report it doesn’t like.”

An auditor can be removed with the assent of two-thirds of the legislature, but the government’s bill would drop the requirement that just cause be provided before the termination.

The bill would also give the government the power to withhold auditor general reports for reasons of public interest, public safety or legal privilege.

Progressive Conservative Premier Tim Houston defended the changes Wednesday, saying that they “normalize” Nova Scotia’s legislation with other provinces.

Adair said she wasn’t consulted on the proposed changes and will make her case against the bill before a legislative committee.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 20, 2025.

The Canadian Press