‘We’re being compassionate’: Minister responds to AG report critical of COVID repayments

Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough responded on Tuesday to auditor general Karen Hogan’s reports analyzing the federal government’s response to COVID-19, including vaccine procurement and pandemic benefits. “The work isn’t done — we paused repayment during Omicron, we paused repayment when the Canada Workers Benefit came out — we’re trying to work with Canadians in a very difficult time and wouldn’t mistake a lack of aggressive pursuit for not doing it. It’s just that we’re being compassionate about it,” Qualtrough said.