Nova Scotia auditor general sees record feedback on schools audit

Nova Scotia’s auditor general says his latest audit on the new Eastern Passage high school has sparked more feedback than ever before.

Last week, Michael Pickup released an audit on the education department’s school capital planning. It questioned the decision-making that led to government deciding to build the Eastern Passage high school and spending on other new schools and school construction projects.

“It’s more emails than I’ve received on any single audit before,” Pickup told Global News after testifying at the public accounts committee.

READ MORE: No evidence’ why new schools in N.S. premier, education minister ridings jumped queue: AG

He testified at committee on Wednesday about the report which also included chapters on daycares, an IT system, and critical infrastructure.

Speaking about the level of feedback on his report on school construction projects, Pickup told MLAs the Eastern Passage school “in particular” is raising public interest.

“Ninety-nine per cent of the feedback I’m getting is all the same as to ‘why is this happening,’ and ‘what can I do about it.'”

READ MORE: Eastern Passage to get new high school

Pickup’s office recommended the department reconsider building the school because there is “no evidence of need” for the new $21 million high school in Eastern Passage. But Education Minister Karen Casey has said she won’t do that and will instead “honour” the commitment the Liberals — and NDP before them — made to the community.

Pickup said he tells the people who contact his office to contact Casey and their MLAs and “engage” with them on the issue.