Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted on Tuesday that federal contracting rules were not followed in the development of the ArriveCan app, a digital tool introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to manage border entry and health declarations.
Speaking at a press conference in Vancouver, Trudeau acknowledged the growing criticism over the government’s pandemic-era procurement practices, saying, “It is obvious that the contracting processes and rules were not followed in this case.” He added that investigations are ongoing to determine who was responsible and emphasized that there would be consequences for those who failed to follow proper procedures.
The admission follows the release of a scathing report by Canada’s Auditor General, which found that the development of ArriveCan showed a “glaring disregard” for established financial and contracting protocols. The report also noted that poor record-keeping has made it “impossible to determine” the app’s total cost.
One of the most serious issues identified was the government’s reliance on sole-sourced contracts, which bypass the usual competitive bidding process. These types of contracts can lead to inflated costs and limited oversight, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
Trudeau stressed that while the app was developed under urgent circumstances during a global health crisis, that did not excuse the failure to uphold standard practices. “We need to make sure that there is accountability and transparency around that,” he said. “Even in times of emergency, we must maintain the trust of Canadians in how their money is spent.”
As the investigation continues, the controversy surrounding ArriveCan remains a flashpoint for broader concerns about federal spending and procurement practices during the pandemic.