Audit of National Capital Commission found significant deficiency in workplace health and safety

Press Release

2026 Special Examination—National Capital Commission

Ottawa, April 20, 2026—The National Capital Commission (NCC), a federal Crown corporation that helps develop, conserve, and improve the National Capital Region, has released the report of a special examination conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. The audit examined the NCC’s corporate management practices and how it managed its day-to-day operations.

The examination of the NCC’s management of its operations found a significant deficiency related to health and safety in the workplace. The NCC did not comply with key federal requirements, including regularly evaluating and updating its hazard prevention program. The effectiveness of this program had not been fully evaluated since 2010 (since 2018 for conservation officers). This increased risks to employees and the NCC. The board had been informed of the non-compliance through an internal audit, but this information was not included in the annual health and safety report, limiting the board’s ability to oversee these risks.

The audit found that improvements were also needed in many practices relating to the management of the NCC, including strategic direction; board oversight; performance measurement, monitoring, and reporting; and risk identification, assessment, and mitigation. Improvements are also needed in the management of day-to-day operations linked to asset maintenance, capital project management, and strategic human resource planning.

Under the Financial Administration Act, federal Crown corporations are subject to a special examination by the Auditor General of Canada at least once every 10 years. These examinations focus on systems and practices that are key to providing the Crown corporation with reasonable assurance that its assets are safeguarded and controlled, its resources are managed economically and efficiently, and its operations are carried out effectively. Special examination reports are therefore a source of important information that parliamentarians can use to hold Crown corporations to account.
The 2026 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Board of Directors of the National Capital Commission is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.

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