CBC News reports that the ArriveCAN app will be scrutinized today as Canada's Auditor General, Karen Hogan, releases a report on the CAD$54 million government project. This follows the discovery of irregularities in the app's procurement process.
Launched in APR 2020 as part of federal efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, ArriveCAN was heavily promoted by the government as a time-saving tool for travellers entering and leaving Canada during the pandemic.
Critics have since said it could have been designed for very little money. But the cost somehow ballooned to CAD$54 million. Canada's PM, Justin Trudeau called the ArriveCAN app-building process "highly illogical and inefficient."
Last year, Open Jaw reported on calls from advocates, critics, and concerned citizens for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to provide transparency and accountability regarding the funding and expenditures of the ArriveCAN app.
According to The Globe and Mail, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating allegations of misconduct involving an outsourced IT project at the CBSA. These allegations stem from a relatively small contract, valued at less than $500,000, which was part of a larger $21.2 million contract for general services, including work related to the ArriveCAN app.
The CBSA has initiated an internal inquiry into the ArriveCan contracts. Erin O'Gorman, the president of CBSA, expressed significant apprehension regarding the initial discoveries of the investigation during her recent appearance before the government operations committee.
O'Gorman highlighted that the investigation revealed "a consistent trend of collaboration among specific officials and GC Strategies. These findings indicate attempts to sidestep or disregard established procurement protocols and duties."
CBC reports that O'Gorman cautioned that the investigation is still ongoing, but preliminary findings were provided to MPs on the committee last week.
According to information provided to CBC News by the CBSA, the internal investigation is anticipated to conclude by either spring or summer of 2024.
