QUESTION PERIOD — National Revenue
Auditor General--COVID-19 Pandemic Reports
December 7, 2022
My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Yesterday, the Auditor General released a scathing report on the Trudeau government’s spending during the pandemic. She found that over $4 billion was paid to individuals who were ineligible for benefits. She went on to say that payments amounting to $27 billion were suspicious.
In the House of Commons, the Minister of National Revenue suggested the Auditor General was playing political games. She said the Auditor General was pressured by the opposition to produce this report. That is obviously totally false and ridiculous. Shame on her for attacking an officer of Parliament like that.
Senator Gold, why is the government trying to discredit the work of the Auditor General?
Thank you for the question.
The government has the utmost respect for the role of the Auditor General and the independence of her office. It was never the minister’s intention to suggest otherwise.
As the minister has said on a number of occasions, we are grateful for the Auditor General’s work, which confirmed that the benefits provided to Canadians during the pandemic were very effective.
The government will continue to focus on improving the well‑being of Canadians.
Senator Gold, the Auditor General said that it was not effective at all. She found $27 billion in suspicious payments.
Like many of her colleagues, Minister Diane Lebouthillier is making blunder after blunder and, like her colleagues, she never apologizes. Your government is always ready to apologize for mistakes made by others years ago, but it is never ready to take responsibility for its own.
When will the minister apologize to the Auditor General of Canada?
Thank you for the question.
As I said, the minister did not intend to insult the Auditor General. She has expressed her support and respect for the Auditor General’s role, and she will continue to work hard for the well-being of Canadians.
