The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has taken action against employees who falsely claimed the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of March 15, 232 employees have been terminated for “inappropriately applying for and receiving” the benefit, an increase of 47 since December.
CERB provided $2,000 per month to Canadians who lost their jobs due to public health restrictions. Those who received the benefit improperly are required to repay the funds.
While the agency initially identified 600 employees for further investigation, not all of them were ineligible for the benefit. Some were students or term employees. So far, 133 employees have been confirmed to have properly received the benefit, with approximately 235 files still under review.
The CRA’s actions demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the integrity of the benefit program and holding individuals accountable for misuse.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 26, 2024.
