N.S. premier takes swipe at auditor general, says leave policy to politicians
HALIFAX — An auditor general’s report critical of how the province communicates its health care strategy appears to have struck a nerve with Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil.
In a report released Wednesday, auditor Michael Pickup said the province had done a poor job of communicating its plan to address problems in primary care, including doctor shortages.
On Thursday, McNeil came out swinging. He expressed surprise that Pickup commented on something he considers public policy, and said the auditor general’s job is to make sure the government is spending taxpayers’ dollars appropriately.
“Do you think the auditor needed to tell me that we have a shortage of family doctors? Do you think the issue hasn’t been raised by Nova Scotians?” he told reporters.