https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...ible-1.6679825
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Auditor general finds 52% of businesses surveyed that received COVID-19 funding were ineligible
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A new report from Alberta's auditor general says it's possible thousands of small and medium-sized businesses received COVID-19 relief money when they weren't eligible to do so.
The report, released Wednesday, states the auditor general can't conclude that a majority of Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant Program (SMERG) recipients were eligible for the program.
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The audit report revealed the department sent letters to ineligible applicants telling them they have 30 days to repay the funds or make other arrangements. Otherwise, the file would be sent to Alberta Crown Debt Collections.
So far, the department said it has recovered $562,000.
Brian Jean, minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development, said in a statement that it was important to get money to businesses as fast as possible.
"Public health measures hurt many businesses, so it was critical that this grant was released without delay to help business owners keep their businesses afloat and protect peoples' livelihoods.
We have learned lessons from the incredibly quick and largely effective roll out that will inform government programs going forward, " the statement read.
Amy Glena, the owner of Ponytails and Horseshoes hair salon in Edmonton said her business received SMERG but it took much longer than the three to six weeks wait time she was promised.
The audit also noted the long-wait time as one of the province's shortcomings in distributing the grant.
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I'm actually "ok" (well understanding) of this, and perhaps shockingly for some in here, agree with the gov't's assertion of "yes, some got some that shouldn't have, but it was a uncertain time with lives and livelihoods at risk, we had to get support $$ out quick". Same idea as federal gov't.