If you pay taxes in New Brunswick, a new report on provincial grant spending demands your attention. Auditor General Paul Martin released a detailed review of the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture. His findings reveal a grant program filled with confusing information, missing documentation, and large overpayments. According to CBC News, the department lacks the basic processes needed to ensure responsible investment of public funds.

Millions Paid in Error

The audit examined spending between April 2023 and March 2025. During this time, the department handed out millions without proper checks. Investigators found one film and television production grant recipient received $2.2 million above the advertised funding limit. The department also made five other overpayments totaling $407,552. In one case, officials paid a $30,000 grant twice by mistake. Continued inaction means the government still has not recovered that second payment.

Missing Paperwork and Poor Tracking

The department runs 32 different grant programs for arts, culture, sports, and festivals. Between the 2021 and 2025 fiscal years, total grant funding jumped from $13.6 million to $21.5 million. Despite this large increase, oversight remains incredibly weak. The report shows 53 percent of examined grants lacked a signed agreement. Another 37 percent had no defined evaluation criteria. Furthermore, 64 percent of the reviewed grants relied entirely on expenses reported by the applicants themselves without any formal audits. Eight film grants worth $3.2 million had absolutely no documentation showing how the department assessed the applications.

Responses from Officials and Advocates

Tourism Minister Isabelle Thériault defended the current administration. She told reporters the auditor general evaluated a period prior to her government taking office. She insists her team revised the programs and implemented clear criteria.

However, the audit period covers nearly five months of her tenure under the Susan Holt government, with the remainder falling under former minister Tammy Scott Wallace. Industry leaders and taxpayer advocates are voicing concerns. Ginette Doiron, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick, welcomed the report. She stressed that public investments must remain accessible, transparent, and focused on measurable results. Devin Drover, Atlantic region director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, expressed strong concern. He stated the findings demand the attention of every New Brunswicker. Drover demanded immediate fixes, including basic transparency, signed agreements, and real performance measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Auditor General find in the New Brunswick tourism grant program?

The Auditor General found significant oversight issues, including millions of dollars in overpayments, missing documentation, and a lack of signed agreements for public grants.

How much money did the department overpay?

The report identified one overpayment of $2.2 million to a film production, plus five additional overpayments totaling over $400,000. Officials also paid a $30,000 grant twice by mistake.

Did the grant recipients have to prove how they spent the money?

In most cases, no. The audit revealed that 64 percent of the reviewed grants relied entirely on expenses reported by the applicants themselves without any formal audits or receipts.

How did the current Tourism Minister respond to the report?

Tourism Minister Isabelle Thériault stated the issues occurred mostly before her government took office. She claims her department has already revised the programs to include clear criteria and processes.