Fake medical certificates, fabricated resumes, fake claims… Revenu Québec has fired seven of its own employees for fraud in just under five years, we’ve learned The newspaper in response to a request for access to information.
The organization, whose mission is to ensure “everyone pays their fair share and benefits from the programs to which they are entitled,” had to thank some of its employees for the cleanup effort given the seriousness of the fraud.
“There have been seven dismissals in the last five years, including four falsifications of medical certificates, one falsification of a resume and two false applications for tax credits for child care expenses,” said Mario Jean, head of information access at Revenu Québec.
In comparison, there were no layoffs at the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE), the Ministry of Employment and Social Solidarity or the Caisse de dépôt etplacement du Québec (CDPQ) during the same period.
Last June, Le Journal reported that over the past three years, Revenu Québec had to intervene against employees who viewed files without authorization, imposing 114 suspensions, 30 reprimands and 8 dismissals.
Surprised by the number
According to Claude Mathieu, full professor at the University of Sherbrooke’s School of Management and responsible for the financial crime program, we could have expected more cases.
Claude Mathieu, professor. Provided by the University of Sherbrooke
“I’m surprised that the numbers are low, considering that internal fraud is ubiquitous in companies,” he analyzed.
“The word ‘fraud’ can be scary, but we should broaden it to also recognize conflicts of interest, misconduct and abuse of power,” he added.
For Damien Bancal, author and cybersecurity specialist, this type of “falsified document fraud” is on the rise.
“Pirate sites offering false papers or forged documents are becoming more and more numerous. Fortunately, the tools and techniques to detect them are being modernized,” he emphasized.
When asked for comment, Finance Minister Eric Girard’s office declined to comment and passed responsibility to Revenu Québec.
Revenu Québec defends itself
Revenu Québec responded by reiterating that it insists on the importance of maintaining the relationship of trust with the public, in particular by ensuring that its managers and employees do not commit a conflict of interest.
“Revenu Québec attaches great importance to the application of its ethical rules, as some of its files are confidential and sensitive,” said its spokesman Claude-Olivier Fagnant.
The organization emphasizes that it has tightened disciplinary measures for breaches of secrecy.
“Revenu Québec is also studying the possibility of revising upward the fines currently provided for in the Tax Administration Act to reflect the changes made by Law 25, which came into force on September 22, 2023,” concluded Claude-Olivier Fagnant.
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