New auditor general emerges from shadow cast by Sheila Fraser

“As you can see, I’m not Sheila Fraser.”

Those were the first words uttered by interim auditor general John Wiersema as he addressed media after tabling his spring report.

So just who is John Wiersema?

Wiersema is Canada’s interim auditor general, appointed on May 31 after his predecessor Sheila Fraser stepped down after a decade as the public’s watchdog.

In that decade, Fraser made a name for herself by taking the government to task for wasteful spending, backed up by watertight auditing and evidence.

Wiersema is now carrying that torch, after serving seven years as Fraser’s deputy. In all, Wiersema has spent 33 years in the Office of the Auditor General allowing him to do almost every job in the place.

He is an active supporter of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Carleton University. He was elected to the Fellowship of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 2003.

Wiersema will serve as auditor general until Fraser’s successor is announced or until November 30, whichever is earlier.

A new auditor general is appointed on the advice of the prime minister following a national selection process. The government is required to consult with the leaders of all recognized parties in the House of Commons. The nomination then has to be approved by the House of Commons and the Senate.