CERB: CRA dismisses 120 employees for 'inappropriate' claims | Canada News Media
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CERB: CRA dismisses 120 employees for ‘inappropriate’ claims

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The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has fired 120 employees following an internal review of those who “inappropriately claimed the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CRA first reported in June it had dismissed 20 employees for “inappropriately” receiving the funds, and that it was investigating 600 additional cases. In an update Friday, the agency said that as a result of a case-by-case review, “120 individuals are no longer with the CRA.”

The investigations and disciplinary processes are ongoing, according to a statement from CRA.

“The CRA takes any form of wrongdoing very seriously, and is strongly committed to protecting the integrity of Canada’s tax and benefit systems and demonstrating to Canadians that the CRA is a trusted and fair organization,” the statement reads. “When misconduct is identified, we ensure that the appropriate actions are taken to address it.”

Those who claimed the payments despite being ineligible are being required to pay them back.

While the reviews and any disciplinary actions are being carried out internally, CRA says some cases may be referred to law enforcement “if criminality is suspected.”

Under the CERB program, Canadians could receive up to $2,000 a month in financial support if the government’s pandemic restrictions affected their employment.

A spokesperson for CRA told CTVNews.ca in June the 600 suspicious cases were a “very limited number” when considering the agency employs 60,000 people across the country.

The spokesperson added some CRA employees may have been eligible for the payments when they were available in the early days of the pandemic, because many had temporary or student contracts.

“As we also previously stated, being a current employee of the CRA does not necessarily mean an individual was ineligible for the CERB,” reads Friday’s statement. “In this regard, roughly 30 employees that are part of this review have been found to be eligible so far.”

“Finally, we would like to emphasize again that the actions of some in no way undermine the honesty and integrity of the more than 60,000 CRA employees who work every day in an exemplary manner to serve Canadians,” it also states.

Canada’s auditor general reported last December that the federal government had delivered about $4.6 billion in COVID-19 aid overpayments to people who were ineligible.

With files from CTVNews.ca writer Michael Lee

 

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RCMP arrest second suspect in deadly shooting east of Calgary

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EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.

Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.

Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.

Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.

Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.

RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.

Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.

“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.

But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.

“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.

While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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26-year-old son is accused of his father’s murder on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast

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RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.

Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.

The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.

It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.

Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.

The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Metro Vancouver’s HandyDART strike continues after talks break with no deal

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VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.

Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”

However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.

McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”

About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.

McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.

He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.

The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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