It has often been said that the most common phrase in the English language is "I don't know." But this week in Ottawa, the phrase du jour was "indeed, I read the report with great interest." Permutations of this phrase echoed through the Commons as various Ministers responded to questions from opposition MPs stemming for the latest report of the Auditor General (AG).

As usual, the AG has berated the government for its failings across a variety of programs and departments. But these reports have become predictable and hardly generate media interest or public outrage.

Phrases like we "identified systemic weaknesses" or "the Department does not measure and report" and "there are potential gaps in the quality of financial and other information" have lost their shock value. Regardless of the department or program under study, these phrases are commonplace in reports by the last three Auditors General.

If the feds had a formal department for predominantly useless spending (Note: many argue that Industry Canada and/or Canadian Heritage actually fit this description) the AG's office would surely find that "there are weaknesses in the approach" and that "there are potential gaps in the quality of financial information."

It's a sad commentary on the state of our public service and more importantly the lack of political respect accorded to the AG's findings. On the other hand, it does help explain the measurable tax rage in Canada.

For example, Chapter 1 points out that almost 20% of convicted criminals are not properly supervised while on parole. Then Chapter 2 tells us that the underground economy costs federal and provincial governments at least $12 billion in unpaid taxes. The AG also notes that Revenue Canada's response (hiring 1,200 auditors) is producing new revenues, but it is difficult to tell how much of this is actually rooting out the tax evasion that has manifested itself in the underground economy. But don't worry too much, the Revenue Minister has probably read the report with great interest.

Skip a few chapters (which are equally depressing) and we arrive at Chapter 10, the AG's follow-up work on funding for First Nations. The AG notes that "the department is not taking adequate steps to ensure that allegations of wrongdoing, including complaints and disputes related to funding arrangements, are appropriately resolved."

Given that 80% of the $4 billion spent on First Nations members is distributed through band councils, you'd think that allegations of wrongdoing, such as corruption, would be a priority. Especially when you consider that tragic numbers of First Nations people live in conditions of abject poverty that make third world conditions look like a suite at the Westin. But don't fret, a quick check of the April 21st Hansard reveals that the Minister of Indian Affairs "has read the report with interest."

Some observers have suggested that we strengthen the Office of the AG with real powers to enforce its recommendations. While this is attractive, vesting too much power in the office of an unelected official is not the right approach.

Instead, we should look at sanctions to dock Ministerial pay and that of the department's Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Ministers. Let's tie their compensation to the performance of their departments as judged by the non-partisan AG.

With such a system in place, the new phrase in Ottawa will be "indeed, I read the report with great interest - and I have taken immediate steps to correct the enumerated problems to ensure that the public is receiving maximum value and service for the taxes they are paying."

I trust that you have considered these ideas with great interest.