In June 2000, Audit Committee requested that the Auditor General submit an annual report on the status of fraud and related matters. This report represents the Auditor General’s ninth report on the activities of the Fraud and Waste Hotline program for the period of January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.
During 2009, the Fraud and Waste Hotline received 677 complaints, an increase of nine per cent from the 619 complaints received in 2008. This amount represents an increase of 184 per cent from the initial 238 complaints received by the Hotline in 2003, its first full year of operation.
In 2009, there were a number of complaints received which related to contraventions or potential contraventions of the City’s Conflict of Interest Policy. There continues to be a less than clear understanding of circumstances which may constitute a real, potential or perceived conflict.
In 2006, the Auditor General’s Office made a recommendation regarding expediting the implementation of formal ethics training to all City staff. While ethics training, including training on conflicts of interest has been introduced, it has not been provided to all management staff. Further, ethics training continues to be outstanding for all non-union staff.
Madame Justice Bellamy in her report relating to the Toronto Computer Leasing Inquiry and the Toronto External Contracts Inquiry made specific recommendations in relation to staff training. This staff training needs to be extended to all staff and at the same time evaluated to ensure that it is effective.