Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Employment Insurance Fraud Surpasses $100-million, But Government Sees Long Collection Times

The Canadian Press, 10 Jul, 2015 01:12 PM
    OTTAWA — The collection bill for money fraudulently claimed through the employment insurance program has surpassed $100 million, but the government doesn't expect to collect the money any time soon.
     
    Figures released to The Canadian Press show that debt collection is increasingly being pushed off to future years, even as the government appears to be more efficient at uncovering bad debts.
     
    The figures show that in fiscal year 2013-14, which ended March 31, 2014 and are the most recent figures available, the department responsible for overseeing EI — Employment and Social Development Canada —watched the collection bill hit almost $102.7 million.
     
    That's the amount the government aims to collect at some point over the next six years.
     
    In fiscal year 2007-08, the second year of the Conservative government, the value of fraudulent claims the government expected to collect at some point in the future stood at just under $25.3 million, or about one quarter of what was expected in 2013-14.
     
    It's unclear why the department is putting off more and more of its debt-collection efforts into the future. The department didn't explain why, nor did the minister's office.
     
    "Our Conservative government will not apologize for ensuring taxpayers' money is treated with respect," Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre said in a statement. "Our party, unlike the Liberals and NDP, is committed to keeping taxes low for Canadians, which means recouping funds when they are improperly claimed."
     
    The longer the debt goes uncollected, the greater the likelihood the government will have to write off millions in benefits wrongfully handed out to Canadians for a variety of reasons, including if the debtor dies or declares bankruptcy, or that the debt itself has passed the 72-month statute of limitations for its collection.
     
    "They seem to be putting effort in finding the fraud…but if this is actual, honest-to-goodness fraud, we have a better chance of getting it now than we would five years from now," said Angella MacEwen, senior economist with the Canadian Labour Congress.
     
    But even as more and more of the collection of those bad debts is being postponed for future collection, the government appears to be getting better at rooting out fraud. 
     
    The amount collected in fiscal year 2006-07 was about $1 million of bad claims that year.
     
    The amount collected steadily rose in subsequent years, and peaked in fiscal year 2012-13 when the government collected $31.4 million, the same year the Conservatives faced accusations they were requiring officials to meet quotas in the fraud hunt, a charge the government denied.
     
    EI officials continue to keep a close eye on claims.
     
    The amount of fraud, however, remains low relative to the total amount handed out. Of the more than $15 billion in benefits handed out annually, less than one per cent is for fraudulent claims, MacEwen said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Paul Martin Accuses Harper Government Of Underfunding Aboriginal Schools

    Paul Martin Accuses Harper Government Of Underfunding Aboriginal Schools
    MONTREAL — The Harper government is underfunding aboriginal schools and depriving First Nations children of any real chance of success, former prime minister Paul Martin said Thursday.

    Paul Martin Accuses Harper Government Of Underfunding Aboriginal Schools

    Brief Court Appearance For Winnipeg Man Accused Of Sending Letter Bombs

    Brief Court Appearance For Winnipeg Man Accused Of Sending Letter Bombs
    WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg man accused of sending letter bombs to his ex-wife and  two law firms has appeared briefly in court via video link.

    Brief Court Appearance For Winnipeg Man Accused Of Sending Letter Bombs

    Health Canada Considers Lowering Daily Maximum Acetaminophen Dose

    Health Canada Considers Lowering Daily Maximum Acetaminophen Dose
    TORONTO — Health Canada says it may change its guidelines for acetaminophen, based on concerns about the drug's capacity to cause severe liver injury.

    Health Canada Considers Lowering Daily Maximum Acetaminophen Dose

    Cowboy Turfed From Calgary Stampede For Whipping Horse During Event

    Cowboy Turfed From Calgary Stampede For Whipping Horse During Event
    Judges say cowboy Tuf Cooper, who is from Decatur, Texas, aggressively whipped his horse with a rope during the tie-down event Wednesday afternoon.

    Cowboy Turfed From Calgary Stampede For Whipping Horse During Event

    Growing Wildfire Forces People From Maligne Valley In Jasper National Park

    Growing Wildfire Forces People From Maligne Valley In Jasper National Park
    JASPER, Alta. — A wildfire burning in Jasper National Park has grown substantially as staff work to get campers and other visitors out of the area.

    Growing Wildfire Forces People From Maligne Valley In Jasper National Park

    B.C. Coroners Service Denies Deleting Fired Health Worker's Suicide Note

    VICTORIA — The British Columbia Coroners Service denies it deleted the suicide note of a man who remains part of a long-running controversy that surrounds the firings of eight government health workers.

    B.C. Coroners Service Denies Deleting Fired Health Worker's Suicide Note

    PrevNext