Officers of the Legislature act as "watchdogs"
of government activities. Their job is to ensure accountability and fair
practices within government.
In Alberta, there are five Officers who are independent of
government. These five officers are the Auditor General, Chief Electoral
Officer, Ethics Commissioner, Information and Privacy Commissioner, and the
Ombudsman.
Each officer has an office and staff to oversee and manage
the functions of their respective areas. Funded by the Legislature, the
Officers provide an independent review of government activities on behalf of the
citizens of the Province.
For example, the Chief Electoral Officer oversees the
election process. The Auditor General audits the financial affairs of
government and reports audit findings publicly. The Ombudsman reviews how
government administers programs, while the Information and Privacy Commissioner
watches how government collects, uses, and discloses personal information.
The Ethics Commissioner ensures conflicts of interest are avoided by Members of
the Legislative Assembly.
To maintain independence and neutrality, the Officers of
the Legislature are appointed on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly,
the body that represents all elected members. Their budgets and reports
are reviewed and approved by the Legislative Assembly. Detailed
information regarding the roles and responsibilities of each Legislative Officer
follows.