2022 Reports 1 to 4 of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of CanadaGovernment doesn’t have a clear picture of the hard-to-reach people not accessing benefits meant to support them

Ottawa, 31 May 2022—A report from Auditor General Karen Hogan tabled today in the House of Commons found that the Canada Revenue Agency and Employment and Social Development Canada didn’t have a clear and complete picture of hard‑to‑reach populations who did not access the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Workers Benefit, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, or the Canada Learning Bond. The Agency and the Department still lack a comprehensive plan to connect with the people who most need these benefits.

The Canada Revenue Agency and Employment and Social Development Canada know from their own research that hard‑to‑reach populations often face one or more barriers to access benefits. These populations include low‑income persons, Indigenous peoples, seniors, newcomers to Canada, and persons with disabilities who may be unaware of available benefits. As such, they require more help from government.

The audit found that estimates by the Agency and the Department overstated the rates of eligible people having access to benefits because they did not always account for those who had not filed income tax returns—a requirement to access most benefits, and therefore a barrier for certain individuals.

“The Canada Revenue Agency and Employment and Social Development Canada did not know whether most of their targeted outreach activities had helped to increase the benefit take‑up rates for hard‑to‑reach populations”, said Ms. Hogan. “As a result, they are failing to improve the lives of some individuals and families who may need these benefits the most.”

The 2022 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada, Report 1—Access to Benefits for Hard‑to‑Reach Populations is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.

- 30 -

Please visit our Media Room for more information.