The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has fired 120 employees following an internal review of those who 鈥渋nappropriately claimed the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)鈥� during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CRA first reported in June it had dismissed 20 employees for 鈥渋nappropriately鈥� 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, 鈥�120 individuals are no longer with the CRA.鈥�
The investigations and disciplinary processes are ongoing, according to a statement from CRA.
鈥淭he CRA takes any form of wrongdoing very seriously, and is strongly committed to protecting the integrity of Canada鈥檚 tax and benefit systems and demonstrating to Canadians that the CRA is a trusted and fair organization,鈥� the statement reads. 鈥淲hen misconduct is identified, we ensure that the appropriate actions are taken to address it.鈥�
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 鈥渋f criminality is suspected.鈥�
Under the CERB program, Canadians were able to receive in financial support if the government鈥檚 pandemic restrictions affected their employment.
A spokesperson for CRA told CTVNews.ca in June the 600 suspicious cases were a 鈥渧ery limited number鈥� 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.
鈥淎s we also previously stated, being a current employee of the CRA does not necessarily mean an individual was ineligible for the CERB,鈥� reads Friday鈥檚 statement. 鈥淚n this regard, roughly 30 employees that are part of this review have been found to be eligible so far.鈥�
鈥淔inally, 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,鈥� it also states.
A statement to CTVNews.ca from National Revenue Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau鈥檚 office says the CRA investigation is 鈥渂eing taken very seriously and is still ongoing.鈥�
鈥淭he confidence and trust that Canadians put in the Canada Revenue Agency is a cornerstone of Canada鈥檚 tax system,鈥� the minister wrote. 鈥淭his trust is based, among other things, on the high level of ethics and integrity demonstrated by CRA employees.鈥�
鈥淭he disciplinary measures imposed show that for us it is zero tolerance,鈥� Bibeau added. 鈥淭hese cases must not call into question the integrity and honesty of the more than 60,000 CRA employees who work in an exemplary fashion to serve their fellow citizens.鈥�
Canada鈥檚 auditor general reported last December that the federal government had delivered about to people who were ineligible.
With files from CTVNews.ca writer Michael Lee
