As I mentioned when we did our first audits on the COVID relief programs—the wage subsidy or the Canada emergency release benefits—it was unprecedented in Canada to see so much income support or income replacement and then supports to businesses to support Canadians through the pandemic. The government followed best international practices when it comes to emergencies. They got money out quickly by relying on attestation, with very few prepayment controls on programs, with the expectation that there be post-payment work.
That's why I'm very concerned that Export Development Canada has only partially agreed with our recommendation on following up and recovering funds. It mirrors the same response from the Canada Revenue Agency back in 2022 when it came to the emergency wage subsidy program. I'm concerned that there is a resistance to want to follow up on recovering funds. If the government doesn't want to do that, they should just be transparent with Canadian taxpayers.