Financial Oversight & Efficiency
As a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and a former auditor at KPMG, I understand the importance of appropriate internal controls as part of financial oversight. A councilor’s role is in fact, part of the township’s financial oversight process. The Council is an important lever to protect the financial interests of the township’s taxpayers. As a resident of Oro-Medonte myself, I want to make sure our township's fiscal budget is not looked at as a never ending well of funds that can be spent without appropriate due diligence. As economies around the world are grappling with the highest inflation we have seen in decades, people from all walks of life are feeling the effects of that inflation every day. Whether it's filling up their vehicles with fuel to get to work, buying groceries for their families, or making investments in their small businesses, everything is getting more expensive.
I believe our council needs to be working in lockstep with County, Provincial, and Federal policies to help fight inflation. Part of that needs to be a commitment to our taxpayers to keep expenditures within budgeted amounts, evaluate the efficiency and efficacy of programs that we currently offer, and ensure that every single tax dollar is stretched as far as possible. Our current council has spent considerable funds on legal fees that were not for the betterment of our community (Township to foot Oro-Medonte councillor's $8K legal bill - Orillia News (orilliamatters.com). If I’m elected I want you to know I have the financial acumen to make sound financial decisions, for which I will be held accountable.
The current councilor for Ward 3 states on her profile page on the township’s website that she “is currently working toward a Bookkeeping Certificate.” (Council - Oro Medonte (oro-medonte.ca) I draw this to your attention because, well, I am not “working towards" accounting proficiency, I have my Chartered Professional Accountant designation, and am well versed in financial statements, financial decision making and the understanding of what makes strong governance policies. During this challenging economic time, we need someone who is well versed and experienced, not learning on the job.