Supplier Claims Government Contracts Fairly Common for Public Servants, According to ArriveCan Source
A key ArriveCan contractor informed MPs that it is quite common for federal employees to engage in side jobs as government contractors.
David Yeo shared this insight during his appearance before the Public Accounts Committee on March 19. He faced inquiries about his involvement as a federal contractor while still being employed at Dalian Enterprises.
Addressing potential conflicts of interest, Mr. Yeo informed the committee that he took steps to mitigate concerns by entering into a confidentiality non-disclosure agreement with Dalian, refraining from involvement in any Dalian activities related to the DND.
The controversial $59.5 million ArriveCan application for checking COVID-19 vaccination status has faced scrutiny for its high costs and lapses in contracting and management practices, as revealed in a critical auditor general’s report.
Mr. Yeo was suspended from the Department of National Defence on March 5, 2024, following an announcement of a review of indigenous contractor support programs by the government. His company has secured $91 million in federal contracts since 2015, with $7.9 million attributed to the ArriveCan project.
The RCMP is currently investigating allegations made by another IT company, Botler AI, regarding their work with Canada Border Services Agency and ArriveCan contractors. The police are evaluating available information related to ArriveCan for possible actions.
MPs Question Role With Dalian
During the testimony, Conservative MPs questioned Mr. Yeo about the extent of his involvement with Dalian while working at DND. There were concerns raised about his transparency during previous committee appearances.
When asked about his role on Dalian’s board of directors during previous testimony, Mr. Yeo explained that the company was undergoing changes at that time. He emphasized that his LinkedIn profile may not accurately reflect all his roles in the company.
Conservative MP Michael Barrett pointed out the timing of Mr. Yeo’s consulting contract with the federal government coinciding with his transition to a public servant role, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.