Newsrelease

September 24, 1997
Edmonton, Alberta

"Alberta continues to set the standard for financial reporting in Canada. With today’s release of Ministry Annual Reports - a combination of financial and performance reporting - government again shows its commitment to providing Albertans with greater accountability."

Government Releases 1996-97 Ministry Annual Reports

Alberta Ministry Annual Reports for the year ending March 31, 1997 were released along with Volumes 2 to 4 of the 1996-97 Public Accounts today.

This year marks a transition. This is the last year that the Public Accounts will be published as separate volumes from each Ministry’s Annual Reports. Next year, all the financial details in Volumes 2 to 4 of the Public Accounts will become a part of the financial statements contained within Ministry Annual Reports. This includes financial statements for associated boards and agencies. These reports will be published by the end of September 1998.

"We’ve raised the standards another notch," said Provincial Treasurer Stockwell Day. "Several Ministries have included their audited financial statements in their 1996-97 Annual Report - one year ahead of the Government Accountability Act requirements. This change reflects our desire to have each Ministry accountable for their spending and financial reporting."

Beginning in 1997-98, all annual reports will include audited financial statements along with yearly achievements: what each Ministry did during the year, how much it cost to do it, and how its performance compares to the goals and objectives of its business plan.

The Auditor General has pointed out in his opinions on these new Ministry financial statements areas he feels could be improved. Government will have an opportunity to review his comments and respond to them later this Fall.

For further information, please contact:

Alberta Treasury
Trish Filevich
Director of Communications
Telephone (780) 427-5364 (Edmonton)
webmaster@treas.gov.ab.ca

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