CRA Plans to Spend More Than $500 Million Tracking Down Incorrect Pandemic Relief Payments

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says it will spend roughly $538 million tracking down ineligible claimants of pandemic relief payments. The CRA has already spent $387.6 million on staff time and resources in an attempt to recover incorrect payments from the Canada Emergency Response Benefits (CERB) program, documents tabled in the House of Commons show. The CERB program offered $2,000 per month, or $500 per week, to those whose working income was hindered due to COVID-19. Another $150 million has been budgeted for the recovery effort over the next two years, according to the documents that were first reported on by Blacklock’s Reporter. The numbers were submitted in response to an inquiry by NDP MP Bonita Zarillo....