Provincial auditor Bonnie Lysyk is wondering if politicians will approve her budget. (CBC)

An unexpected delay in the approval process for the budget of Saskatchewan's auditor has the financial watchdog expressing concern.

Bonnie Lysyk appeared before a committee of the legislature Friday. The politicians were scrutinizing the budget for the work her office performs.

The atmosphere of the meeting grew tense and Lysyk said she was concerned with some of what she heard.

"I just hope the discussion around here — and with all due respect — is not a message to me and to my staff that we should not be operating independently and performing the work that we think is appropriate in this province," Lysyk said.

Saskatchewan Party members of the committee suggested the delay.

The committee is set to meet again in a week.

Lysyk said she has heard rumours that some politicians do not want the auditor to measure performance of government.

"What I have heard through the grapevine is that perhaps that there are people in the government that have concerns that auditors are doing performance audits," she said.

Lysyk has, in previous reports, been critical of several government ministries.

With files from CBC's Stefani Langenegger