Canadian Columnist Demands Inquiry Into COVID-19 Response and Fraud Cases
In a recent opinion piece, columnist John Snobelen has called for a comprehensive review of Canada's pandemic response, arguing that citizens deserve answers about government decisions and widespread fraud in COVID-19 relief programs.
Cross-Border Fraud Concerns
Snobelen points to concerning developments both in Canada and the United States. He references the appointment of Vice-President JD Vance as Anti-Fraud czar in the U.S., noting this move carries "a strong odour of politics." The columnist questions whether this position will address all fraud or only politically convenient cases.
The article highlights significant fraud cases involving COVID-19 relief funds. In one 2021 incident, a multi-million-dollar fraud on federally funded pandemic relief programs resulted in 92 criminal charges, with 62 convictions to date. This theft alone is estimated to involve approximately $250 million.
Questioning Canada's Pandemic Response
Snobelen characterizes Canada's COVID-19 response as "long, expensive and often ill-advised." While acknowledging that some overreaction was understandable given global fear, he argues Canada closed schools and businesses longer than most countries and will be paying the price for these decisions for years to come.
The columnist poses several critical questions about Canada's approach:
- Why did governments across Canada overreact to the pandemic?
- Why was the federal government unable to implement reasonable controls on CERB and other COVID-era relief programs?
- How often were the experts that governments relied on incorrect in their assessments?
- Why did Canada keep schools closed long after it became clear that young people faced minimal risk?
Calls for Impartial Investigation
Snobelen advocates for an inquiry that operates "outside of the influence of those protecting professional standing or political advantage." He suggests this review should examine not just policy decisions but also specific incidents, including why 78 Canada Revenue Agency employees received CERB benefits and why many who fraudulently collected benefits have avoided criminal charges.
The columnist notes that during the pandemic, fear spread faster than the virus, leading politicians to defer decision-making to experts who provided "good and bad advice in about equal measure." An impartial review, he argues, could provide valuable guidance on the best use of expert advice and the practical limits of scientific predictions.
Learning from a Painful Period
Snobelen emphasizes that the purpose of such an inquiry should not be to assign blame but to learn from "a painful and exhaustive period." He suggests examining various aspects of the pandemic response, including the complicated vaccine procurement process and communication failures ranging from what he calls "performative theatre" to overpromises about vaccine efficacy.
The columnist concludes that Canadians deserve answers about their government's pandemic response and how billions in relief funds were managed and sometimes misappropriated during this critical period in the nation's history.
