Why you should care about Public Accounts Committee

October 21, 2025

As the Fall Session is in its fifth sitting week it is a good time to dive into Stephanie’s new committee assignment and understand the importance of this role.

The Public Accounts Committee (PACP) is just one of four committees chaired by an Opposition MP. Critically this means the Opposition – not the government – controls the meeting agenda, witness schedule, and acts as the official adjudicator of the committee, ensuring Liberal members cannot unilaterally shut down debate when opposition members hold them to account.

Given PACPs mandate to “review and report on the Public Accounts of Canada and reports of the Auditor General of Canada…, with a focus on holding the government to account for effective public administration and due regard for public funds”, it is of upmost importance that Opposition MPs hold the balance of power on this committee so that all Canadians can understand how their money is being spent.

Understanding the dynamic of Opposition-chaired committees, PACP has become one of the most effective venues for holding the Liberal government to account. In the previous Parliament, it was the Public Accounts Committee which led the charge on the $400+ million ‘Green Slush Fund’ and which prosecuted the infamous ‘Sponsorship (AdScam) Scandal’ that ultimately took down the Liberal government of Paul Martin.

Stephanie, in her role as Shadow Minister for Treasury Board and the King’s Privy Council has been appointed by Pierre Poilievre to serve as the Conservative lead on PACP. In this position she will serve as the chief prosecutor of this Liberal government and their wasteful spending at Public Accounts Committee and lead the Official Opposition during studies at this committee.

Certainly, the previous Trudeau administration left no shortage of ethical and fiscal mishaps for the Auditor General to report on to Parliament. The ‘new’ Carney government – which shares a majority of the same Trudeau era Ministers and initiatives – appears to be no different.

This week, the Auditor General released seven new reports. Of particular interest are her reports on service delays at Canada Revenue Agency call centres and the implementation failure of the $10 a day child care system.

Stephanie, alongside her Conservative colleagues on the Public Accounts Committee (MP’s John Williamson, Gérard Deltell, and Ned Kuruc) will continue to hold this Liberal government’s feet to the fire and fight for the responsible use of your tax dollars in federal programs.

The best way to keep in touch with the work of PACP is by following Stephanie’s social media platforms , where you can watch her at work questioning the Auditor General, senior government officials, and Ministers.