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The Big Story

Explaining the ArriveCan scandal

Mar 19, 2024
A scandal surrounding the ArriveCan app developed during the pandemic raises questions about government spending. Journalist Irem Koca discusses the financial implications, subcontracting issues, and the debate over the government's intentions. The podcast explores controversies, investigations, overpayments, and conflicts among public servants. The episode delves into emergency procurement, contractor discrepancies, and the complexities of the scandal.
22:27

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The ArriveCAN app procurement process was plagued with inflated costs and lack of transparency, raising concerns about fund allocation.
  • Allegations of cozy relationships between contractors and public servants complicated the ArriveCAN scandal, leading to suspensions and ongoing investigations.

Deep dives

Overview of the ArriveCAN Application

The ArriveCAN application was launched in April 2020 and required travelers at border crossings to submit travel information, vaccination status, and COVID-19 test results. Initially mandatory, it aimed to speed up the process compared to manual tracing forms, but its effectiveness remains a subject of debate. While the government perceives it as necessary for safety and effective, the Auditor General reported issues like wrong quarantine orders due to glitches. The app was utilized by millions, but questions arose about its high procurement cost of nearly 60 million dollars.

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