Time after time, the public has witnessed the need for greater government transparency and openness. The offices of the auditor-general, ombudsman, information and privacy commissioner, Elections BC and the conflict commissioner are all appointed by the legislature to serve as a check on government and enhance accountability and transparency for the public.

Recognizing the public's waning confidence in government, the BC Liberal's promised in 2001to be "the most open, transparent and democratic government in Canada." Shortly after being elected, they slashed the budgets of the most important of these offices: auditor general, ombudsman and the information and privacy commissioner, by 35 per cent over the past few years. In fact, all three offices noted in their submissions to the finance committee this year difficulty performing their basic duties as a result of reduced resources.

It is understandable that the government's first round of austerity measures would impact most agencies and bodies. However, after billion dollar surpluses, the officers of the legislature should not only have their budgets restored, but increased to meet growing workloads.

Most taxpayers know the crucial role that the auditor general plays in measuring government performance and financial reporting. This year, the auditor general's office was granted a modest budget increase. But funding remains at 1996 levels.

At a time when discretionary government spending is increasing on corporate welfare, entitlement programs, advertising, capital spending and Olympic related projects, it is more important than ever that the auditor general have adequate resources. The auditor general explicitly states that his office is unable to examine important aspects of government due to budgetary limitations.

The budget increase requested by the auditor general is a meager $1.3 million. Notes the auditor: "[our] office provides the Legislative Assembly with a strong means for holding government to account for how it delivers almost $41 billion in programs and services to the people of British Columbia. No other organization in the province provides the same type of independent and objective assessments on the accountability and overall performance of government."

The office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) co-ordinates and provides for the disclosure of government documents and protection of information relating to personal privacy. Documents released through Freedom of Information allow the public to measure government decision making and performance. It is impossible to hold a government accountable if its decisions, documents, data and reports are sealed under lock and key.

In it's submission to the finance committee the OIPC states that it is "facing serious challenges in meeting its legislated duties." And, that "our mandate and functions are vital to restraining and illuminating the activities of government and to empowering citizens, both of which are fundamental to a healthy and well-functioning modern democracy." The OIPC is asking for an increase of $266,000 for next year. Surely a government committed to transparency can find these resources.

Finally, the office of the ombudsman has an exhaustive list of government agencies, bodies, authorities and crown corporations that it is responsible to hear and investigate complaints against. The office's jurisdiction is so extensive it borders on laughable. In fact, the office has had to decline over 500 complaints over the past few years due to budget limitations. The ombudsman expects that its office will be able to meet its set budget for 2006 but is asking for an additional $305,000 for 2007.

Taken together the three offices are asking for less than $2 million over the next two fiscal years. A rather small price tag for transparency and openness in a budget of $41 billion. It's time the government puts some resources behind its 2001 New Era commitments to open and transparent government and offer our in-house watchdogs the tools they need to perform their duties.