Canada's Watch Dog Is In Town

Another distinguished Canadian joined the ranks of Nipissing University Graduates during the convocation ceremonies Saturday Morning.

Auditor General of Canada, Sheila Fraser, says she was honoured to receive her honorary Doctor of Letters degree.

Fraser better known as the watchdog for Canadians, addressed the Faculty of Arts and Science graduates and offering three key pieces of advice as they head off to new horizons.

“They were actually personal thoughts of what I would like to say to students graduating. The most important, I thought, was to make sure that as they set out that they enjoy what they do.”

“That they have fun at their work, that they don’t become trapped because some people tend to become trapped in their jobs they don’t enjoy. Because I don’t think you can actually do well or succeed if you don’t enjoy what you do,” stated Fraser.

Quickly adding that she loves her current job. Fraser has been in the role of Auditor General of Canada since 2001 and in that role, she has focussed the Office’s efforts on serving the needs of parliamentarians. She is accomplishing that goal by ensuring that they have objective and reliable information to study government activities and hold the government to account for its stewardship of public funds. At her initiative, Canada was the first legislative audit office to request a review of its performance audit practice in an effort to provide assurance about the quality of its work.

“Some people would say it’s a difficult job , I think I’m very privileged and very fortunate to have this position.”

“It is a wonderful job that has enabled me to do extraordinary things, meet extraordinary people and hopefully to give something back to Canadians to help the government better and to improve the lives of Canadians, to make a difference.’

Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Gwen M. Boniface, will receive the honorary degree, Doctor of Letters and deliver the convocation address to the graduates of Nipissing’s Faculty of Arts and Science Saturday afternoon.