Public Health Agency Falls Short on Protecting Canada’s Border Against COVID-19: Auditor General

Auditor General Karen Hogan listens to a question during a news conference in Ottawa on May 26, 2021. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

Despite spending more than $600 million on control measures, a new report from the auditor general says the federal health agency’s failure to properly track travellers’ quarantine status leaves Canada’s border poorly defended against COVID-19.

Auditor General Karen Hogan submitted four COVID-19-related reports to the House of Commons on Dec. 9, including one that examines the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) enforcement of quarantines and testing for travellers entering Canada.