Two MPPs tasked with finding a successor for Financial Accountability Officer Peter Weltman will have their first meeting on May 9, after the current fiscal watchdog's term ends.
Weltman's been on the job since May 7, 2018, and his five-year term officially ends on May 5 at 5 p.m.
Weltman could have his term temporarily extended if MPPs see fit.
Weltman could also apply for a second five-year term, according to the legislation that created the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario. The government would welcome him to do so, a spokesperson for Government House Leader Paul Calandra said in a statement.
The 2013-passed Financial Accountability Officer Act stipulates that the office-holder can serve a maximum of two five-year terms. Stephen LeClair, Ontario's first financial accountability officer, was appointed in 2015 and resigned shortly after taking a medical leave in 2017.
As things stand on Friday, deputy FAO Jeff Novak will take over the office on an interim basis.
Conservative MPP Rick Byers and NDP MPP Catherine Fife, her party's finance critic, were deputized by the Board of Internal Economy to handle the replacement process. Their first meeting is set for May 9, Fife told The Trillium, after Weltman's term expires May 5.
"Despite advising the Board of Internal Economy some six months ago, and again more recently, I have yet to receive confirmation as to whether or not I will be asked to continue in this role," Weltman said in a statement earlier this week.
The government isn't involved in the hiring process, but Calandra's spokesperson did provide some details on how it'll play out.
"The panel will conduct a fulsome search and, if Mr. Weltman is the best candidate, the relevant legislation allows the panel to recommend his reappointment for a second term," Owen Macri, the government house leader's spokesperson, said. "Typically, these all-party panels begin by reviewing a job posting, agreeing to an advertising plan, review of resumes, rounds of interviews of candidates, and deliberation."
There is no set timeline for a permanent financial accountability officer to be appointed.
Fife didn't say directly whether she wants Weltman reappointed but is a fan of the work he's done in the role.
"As the finance critic I have been very impressed with the work of the FAO and I know my colleagues have found their reports helpful," she said.
Fife and NDP Leader Marit Stiles recently called on the PCs to "speed up the search, which should have started months ago, with clear deadlines and objectives," as they said in a statement sent on May 3.
