232 Canada Revenue Agency Employees Fired for Improperly Claiming CERB during Pandemic

The Number of Canada Revenue Agency Employees Fired for Improperly Claiming CERB Rises to 232

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that the number of employees fired for improperly claiming the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) during the COVID-19 pandemic has reached 232. This marks an increase from the 185 employees who were let go as of December 2023.

According to CRA spokesperson Sylvie Branch, any employee found to be ineligible for the CERB must repay the benefit. The agency continues to investigate approximately 600 employees, and so far, 133 have been deemed eligible for the CERB. This is an increase from the 116 employees who were cleared as of late last year.

The CERB program provided financial support of up to $2,000 per month to Canadians whose employment was affected by the pandemic. However, Canada’s Auditor General reported that $4.6 billion in overpayments were made to individuals who were ineligible for the funds out of the estimated $211 billion in COVID-19 aid provided by the federal government in 2022.

Although the number of employees involved represents less than one percent of the CRA’s workforce of over 60,000, the agency recognizes the importance of maintaining Canadians’ trust. The CRA has vowed to refer cases to law enforcement if criminal activity is suspected.

Branch emphasized that the actions of a few employees should not undermine the integrity and dedication of the majority of CRA staff who serve Canadians diligently. The agency continues its case-by-case review as it works to ensure the appropriate distribution of funds and maintain public confidence in its operations.