Auditor General Probes COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement, Pandemic Benefits

Workers unload a shipment of the Moderna COVID‑19 vaccine at the FedEx hub at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on May 20, 2021. The Canadian Press/Cole Burston

Canada’s auditor general is expected to release two highly anticipated reports on the government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis in 2021, including access to vaccines and pandemic benefits.

Karen Hogan’s first report will detail how well the government did getting ahold of COVID-19 vaccine doses and tracking how many people got them.

The Liberal government made headlines in 2021 over concerns the rollout of provincial vaccine campaigns may be jeopardized by delayed shipments of COVID-19 vaccines.

The auditor has also examined the distribution of benefit payments to people who lost income because of public health restrictions.

The report is expected to show whether the Canada Revenue Agency and Employment and Social Development Canada made sure payments were accurate and paid to eligible applicants, as well as whether efforts were made to recuperate overpayments.

It will also examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the COVID-19 benefit program, and whether the agencies achieved its goals in a cost-effective way.

The reports are expected to be tabled in the House of Commons at 10 a.m. EST.