Head of Border Agency Admits Dinner with ArriveCan Contractors Was a Mistake
A director at the Canada Border Services Agency expressed regret for attending a dinner with contractors working on the ArriveCan app without informing his supervisor. He acknowledged it was a lapse in judgment but clarified that the app’s development was not discussed during the social gatherings.
During his testimony before the Public Accounts Committee on May 14, Chulaka Ailapperuma admitted to attending two social events in Ottawa with contractors involved in the ArriveCan project in 2020. He explained that the gatherings were seen as team celebrations amidst the demanding work on ArriveCan, and he simply wanted to socialize with his colleagues.
Although approximately five individuals were present at the dinner organized by GC Strategies’ managing partner Kristian Firth, Ailapperuma emphasized that no financial or contractual matters related to ArriveCan were addressed. Instead, the discussions revolved around the day-to-day operations of the app.
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Conservative MP Michael Barrett questioned the credibility of the claim that ArriveCan was not discussed during the dinner, suggesting that such conversations were inevitable in the relaxed setting. Mr. Ailapperuma defended his stance, stating that the focus was on personal topics rather than professional matters.
Highlighting the findings of the Auditor General’s report on Feb. 12, it was revealed that the development of the ArriveCan app incurred an estimated cost of $59.5 million due to poor record-keeping and lack of transparency. The report emphasized the need for strengthened conflict of interest rules to prevent any potential biases in procurement decisions.
Addressing the concerns raised, CBSA President Erin O’Gorman testified that the agency had taken steps to reduce reliance on external consultants following the audit. She mentioned a decrease in the number of consultants working for CBSA’s IT branches as part of this initiative and outlined enhanced conflict of interest guidelines for contractors and employees.
Moreover, O’Gorman announced that vendors with active IT service contracts would be required to certify that no resources provided to CBSA are simultaneously employed as public servants, ensuring a clear separation of roles.
