Pandemic Loan Relief Program Paid Out More Than $2B to Unqualified Borrowers: Federal Records

A pedestrian walks past a vacant storefront as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact small businesses in Montreal on Nov. 23, 2020. The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz

A pandemic loan relief program for small business owners has paid more than $2 billion to borrowers who never qualified for it in the first place, federal records show.

The amount was disclosed as a result of a request by Conservative MP Brad Vis, who represents the riding of Mission-Matsqui in B.C., according to Blacklock’s Reporter.