‘Fairly Common’ for Public Servants to Get Gov’t Contracts, Says ArriveCan Supplier

Supplier Claims Government Contracts Fairly Common for Public Servants, According to ArriveCan Source

March 21, 2024 TruthUSA

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.

“I have been around the department for a long time. It’s typical for everyone to have their regular day job and maybe take on a side project in the evenings,” stated Mr. Yeo, as reported by Blacklock’s Reporter.

Mr. Yeo clarified that when he founded Dalian in 2002, he was not an employee of the Department of National Defence (DND) but rather a contractor offering IT services to the DND. He further explained that after ArriveCan was completed, his role shifted from a consultant providing professional security services to a public service employee in September 2023.

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.

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.

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