The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Lantz government to take immediate action after the auditor general flagged fraud, control failures and weak oversight within government departments.

“Taxpayers expect government to protect their money like it’s their own,” said Devin Drover, CTF Atlantic Director and General Counsel. “Instead, the auditor general is finding serious gaps in oversight and cases of fraud slipping through the cracks. That’s unacceptable.”

The auditor general’s report highlights fraud-related incidents and weaknesses in internal controls, including payments that should have raised red flags. While some cases involved attempted fraud, the findings point to broader systemic problems in how government safeguards taxpayer money.

Every Islander’s per capita share of the provincial debt is about $20,000. Debt interest payments are costing nearly $200 million every year, which is money that could otherwise go to frontline services or tax relief.

“Politicians can’t keep asking Islanders to pay more while failing to prevent fraud and waste,” Drover said. “Families are watching every dollar at the kitchen table. Government needs to show the same discipline.”

The CTF is calling on the province to fully investigate all fraud-related cases identified in the report, strengthen financial controls across every department, recover any lost funds and conduct a comprehensive review of spending to rein in costs and reduce debt.

“Islanders are working hard and paying high taxes,” Drover said. “This report is a warning. Tighten controls, cut waste and start respecting taxpayer money.”