Conservatives come to AG's defence after Liberal minister suggests benefit report was politically influenced
National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier is facing calls from Conservatives to apologize for suggesting that Tuesday's auditor general report indicating that billions of dollars in COVID-19 benefits went to those who were ineligible was influenced by political pressure.
On Tuesday, auditor general Karen Hogan tabled a report raising alarms that, of the $211 billion the federal government sent out to Canadians and companies during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least $4.6 billion in overpayments went to those who were ineligible, and another $27.4 billion merited further investigation.
While Hogan concluded that overall the federal government effectively delivered the emergency aid and staved off further economic harm, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Employment and Social Development Canada are "falling short" and running out of time when it comes to following through on verifying recipients' eligibility and trying to claw back funds.
Facing multiple questions on the audit's findings during question period on Tuesday, Lebouthillier — the minister responsible for the CRA — said that the federal revenue agency doesn't agree with some of the audit's findings.
Taking issue specifically with how Hogan calculated eligibility for the wage subsidy program and flagged that $15.5 billion paid out may have gone to ineligible employers, Lebouthillier said the auditor general's figure was "exaggerated."
"This is not the auditor general's fault," the minister said in French. "We all know that she was pressured by the opposition to produce this report. Political games notwithstanding, let us not forget that the wage subsidy saved the economy."
This prompted the Conservatives to pivot their line of questioning. Seizing on her remark, the Official Opposition came to Hogan's defence, demanding that the minister apologize rather than continuing to pepper the Liberals with questions about what they plan to do to recoup the benefit money, some of which the Conservatives supported being sent to Canadians amid the global health crisis.
"The auditor general is an incredibly critical part of our democracy. When an individual calls the auditor general's integrity into question, which happened just now in the House, it is an attack on our democracy," said Conservative MP Philip Lawrence. "Will the minister apologize?"
On it went, first with the minister stating that she wouldn't apologize, then with her doubling down with her "pressured" line.
In another question, Conservative MP Luc Berthold pointed out that it was Parliament, not the opposition, that asked the auditor general to dive into the federal government's pandemic spending, the latest in a series of COVID-19-focused performance reports in line with Hogan’s mandate as an officer of Parliament.
"However, today in the House, the minister of national revenue had the nerve to hide her incompetence at managing the crisis by throwing accusations at the auditor general of Canada and questioning her integrity. There is just one thing left for the minister to do, and that is to stand up and apologize to the House," he said.
To this, the minister replied that she had "total confidence" in the auditor general and that Hogan has her "utmost respect," but she did not apologize.
The parliamentary drama poured over into a House of Commons Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday afternoon, where Hogan was asked to respond to Lebouthillier's question period comments.
Hogan told the committee that she stood by her findings, and pointed out the legislation that implemented the program with rapid payouts and limited pre-payment verification, included a requirement for her office to conduct an audit after the fact.
"Our audit work is very rigorous," Hogan said. "We based our work on really the limited information that was available at the Canada Revenue Agency, because very little was collected on application. We could only look at what information was available, and we believe that we looked at the best information available and came to the best conclusions."
On her way into a Liberal caucus meeting on Wednesday morning, Lebouthillier was asked to explain her comments.
In French she said that while she doesn’t necessarily agree with the figures put forward in the COVID-19 benefit report, she has enormous respect for the auditor general and for the independence of her office. The minister did not apologize for suggesting Hogan’s work was politically motivated.
The minister faced a few more questions on the matter during question period on Wednesday. Following this, the House of Commons—on the prompting of Bloc Quebecois MP Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagne—made the point of reaffirming its “full trust in the auditor general and the importance of her independent work.”
Unanimously agreeing to the Bloc motion, MPs agreed that the information the office provides to parliamentarians is of “quality.”
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
What Michael Cohen said on the stand in Trump hush money case
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Behind the barricades: How protesters spend their first days in a new encampment
Students in Montreal describe life in a newly erected encampment in Montreal as a whirlwind of preparations, from facing rain and a potential police crackdown to setting up a space for the exchange of ideas.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Next 48 hours will be 'extremely challenging' for B.C. wildfire crews near Fort Nelson: officials
A wildfire burning dangerously close to Fort Nelson, B.C., has grown to more than 50 square kilometres, and officials are warning that the blaze's behaviour is expected to become more volatile over the next 48 hours.
Southern Ont. man charged with attempted murder in Timmins shooting
One of two men wanted for attempted murder in Timmins has been arrested, while a warrant has been issued for a second suspect, who fled police on foot.
Local Spotlight
Adopted daughter in the Netherlands reunited with sister in Montreal and mother in Colombia, 40 years later
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
'Reimagining Mother's Day': Toronto woman creates Motherless Day event after losing mom
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.
Chris Hadfield inspires youth musical in Sudbury
YES Theatre Young Company opened its acclaimed kids’ show, One Small Step, at Sudbury Theatre Centre on Saturday.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.
'Oh Crap!' New exhibit at Canada Science and Technology Museum explores human waste
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop. A new exhibition opens at the Ottawa museum on Friday called, 'Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste.'