The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has let go of 20 employees as of June 30, 2023 as part of an investigation into their workers accepting CERB while being employed.
In a statement to NowMedia, the CRA said that the number of employees being let go is likely to increase, as the investigation into the matter continues.
The CRA said it identified a “small number” of people who received the payments while being employed by the agency.
A spokesperson confirmed that the CRA is currently investigating about 600 employees, which represents less than 1% of their workforce.
According to the CRA, “being a current employee of the CRA does not necessarily mean an individual was ineligible for the CERB.” Workers with temporary or student contracts, who may have actually been eligible, will also be investigated.
“The CRA understands the importance of transparency and integrity,” a spokesperson said. “The CRA also ensures that both Canadians and its employees are aware that the CRA takes any form of wrongdoing very seriously.”
The CRA says that disciplinary actions “relative to the seriousness of the misconduct” will be taken.
“Each review is handled on a case-by-case basis and will have its own outcome,” the agency added.
