B.C. Auditor Rips Performance Of Government's $182 Million Computer System

VICTORIA — The B.C. government has spent seven years and $182 million trying to modernize aging computer systems in the social services ministries, but the province's auditor general says only one-third of that goal has been achieved.

Carol Bellringer also says personal information in the province's Integrated Case Management system wasn't fully safeguarded and wasn't monitored for inappropriate activity.

Bellringer's latest report says the system that was intended to improve delivery of social programs and supports hasn't met expectations within several government ministries.

The project dates back to 2008 with a plan to replace outdated government computer systems used to deliver social programs, including child protection, child-care subsidies and income assistance.

A report emerged last May that the system was prone to regular crashes, but the government said it was meeting the needs of social services clients.

The Opposition New Democrats say Bellringer's report shows that the system is an unfinished, dysfunctional mess.