Auditor General Tables the Audit of the Ottawa Police Service’s Response to the Convoy Protest – The Role of the Ottawa Police Services Board

Ottawa – Today, Auditor General Nathalie Gougeon tabled the Audit of the Ottawa Police Service’s Response to the Convoy Protest – The Role of the Ottawa Police Services Board (OPSB).

The audit found that despite their attempts to obtain the necessary operational details, the OPSB did not receive this information in a timely manner. This impacted their ability to effectively undertake their oversight responsibilities during the convoy protest.

“Communication is vital in emergencies,” said Ms. Gougeon. “Insufficient intelligence and information sharing significantly impacted the Board’s ability to respond.”

The Auditor General has provided recommendations to the Board to clarify expectations and to improve the overall effectiveness of its governance.

The audit also found that in the early stages of the protest, the Board did not clearly understand its role relative to a major event but sought out legal expertise and support to guide them through the rapidly changing situation.

The objective of the audit was to assess whether the OPSB undertook all necessary and appropriate action, leading up to and during the convoy protest, to fulfill its mandate to provide adequate and effective police services in the City of Ottawa. The scope of this audit was limited to OPSB’s role in the context of their responsibility of providing adequate and effective police services.  

Eleven recommendations were made and the Board agreed with all of them.

A full copy of the audit report is available on the Auditor General’s website at www.oagottawa.ca. 

For more information:
613 580-9602
OAG@ottawa.ca