National

Review finds at least 120 CRA employees claimed COVID benefits while employed

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Sep, 2023 09:47 AM

The Canada Revenue Agency says 120 people have been fired for claiming a federal COVID-19 benefit while employed there.

The CRA is reviewing approximately 600 cases in which current employees received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit — or CERB — during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The benefit was worth $2,000 a month to Canadians whose jobs were lost or downgraded as a result of public-health restrictions.

The CRA said in July that it had let 20 employees go as a result of its CERB investigation, but it now says that number is up to 120.

Claims for CERB were found to be legitimate in 30 cases, such as for employees who had temporary or student contracts.

The tax agency says it refers cases with suspected criminal activity to police, and in August, a former CRA employee was arrested and charged with fraud for allegedly collecting nearly $20,000 in government benefits during COVID-19.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Railtown man allegedly shoots a gun inside his apartment, neighbours evacuated: VPD

A person who was with the man when he began firing quickly fled and called 9-1-1, reporting that the shooter had been acting strangely for several days. VPD officers surrounded the building and evacuated neighbours who were in harm’s way so they could begin communicating with the suspect.

Railtown man allegedly shoots a gun inside his apartment, neighbours evacuated: VPD

21 year old Sikh woman, Pawanpreet Kaur, shot dead outside gas station in Mississauga

Police are on a lookout for the suspect who was dressed in all dark clothing and was observed leaving the scene on foot following the incident. Calling it a targeted incident, the police has launched a homicide investigation.

21 year old Sikh woman, Pawanpreet Kaur, shot dead outside gas station in Mississauga

Canada to fund programs for immigrant health staff

Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser says the federal government is calling for proposals for projects that offer Canadian work experience for internationally trained health professionals or streamline the process that recognizes international medical credentials.

Canada to fund programs for immigrant health staff

Chinese immigration to Canada record high from 2015, as some flee zero-COVID strategy

Tiffany, a Richmond, B.C., immigration consultant who only wanted her first name used for fear of reprisals against her family from China,said many of her clients say China’s zero-COVID strategy made them feel “their freedom and liberties have been stripped away."

Chinese immigration to Canada record high from 2015, as some flee zero-COVID strategy

Pharmacists ask parents not to stockpile kids meds

The federal government imported one million units of children's acetaminophen — commonly known as Tylenol — as emergency relief amid a shortage coupled with soaring rates of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV.

Pharmacists ask parents not to stockpile kids meds

B.C.'s COVID response praised for 'nimbleness'

The review made 26 findings, including recommendations around better communications, transparency, data collection and improved public trust. Farnworth said the government tried to be as open as possible during the pandemic and based its decisions on the best public health advice available.