Conservative MPs Demand Investigation into Vaccine Injury Support Program
Four Conservative MPs have requested an investigation into the Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP), citing mismanagement and misuse of tax dollars. They have suggested that the non-profit health foundation responsible for the program needs an urgent overhaul.
MPs Call for Emergency Hearing
The group, led by Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, sent a letter to Liberal MP and committee chairperson Hedy Fry, asking for an emergency hearing. The letter accused the Liberals of giving away millions of dollars to consultants while neglecting the Canadians the program was meant to support. However, Fry has not responded to their request.
Global News Investigation Prompts Concerns
The MPs’ concerns surfaced following a five-month investigation by Global News. The investigation revealed that more than $50 million in taxpayer money had been received by Oxaro Inc., the Ottawa consulting firm outsourced to administer the VISP. Of this, only $16.9 million actually reached injured Canadians, with the rest spent on administrative costs. The investigation also criticized the government’s underestimation of the number of injury claims VISP would receive.
Allegations of Mismanagement
Former Oxaro workers have described a lack of seriousness in the workplace, alleging office drinking, ping pong games, and Netflix streaming at desks. Allegations also arose concerning the company’s inability to fulfill the program’s mission and a lack of planning from the start.
Call for Overhaul
Darryl Bedford, president of the GBS-CIDP Foundation of Canada (GBS), is calling for an overhaul of the program. Bedford criticized the program’s slow decision-making process and lack of support for vaccine-injured individuals. He also expressed concerns about the majority of the program’s budget being spent on administration rather than support.
Bedford also expressed surprise at the government’s decision to outsource the program to Oxaro, suggesting that there were other public and private entities with more experience in processing claims. Despite these concerns, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has stated that they are reviewing Oxaro’s five-year arrangement to administer VISP, which is due for renewal next year.
