Opposition MPs say overpayment of federal public servants is only the latest issue for the troubled Phoenix pay system — and they worry that the approaching tax season will bring a fresh crop of problems.
Since the government consolidated many separate payroll systems into the Phoenix system last spring, tens of thousands of public servants have been underpaid, overpaid or not paid at all.
According to documents obtained by CBC News/Radio-Canada, more than 26,000 employees have been
overpaid a total of about $68.6 million.
Only about a third of the money sent out in error — around $22.3 million — has been recovered.
Edmonton MP Kelly McCauley, the Conservative deputy critic for public services, said his office has been "flooded" with calls from constituents who say they've been overpaid by the federal government.
"The money is sitting in their accounts, they brought it forward to the government, but it's not getting addressed," McCauley said. "There's no plan from the government."
NDP public service critic Erin Weir asks whether there may be 'unreported' cases of federal public servants being overpaid. (CBC)
The NDP's public services critic, Erin Weir, said the $68.6-million figure may not include workers who did not report being overpaid and that could create "a lot of uncertainty" for the public treasury.
"Of course, many federal employees have reported in good faith the fact they received these overpayments," Weir said. "But one wonders whether there may be more overpayments that have gone unreported."
Minister asks overpaid to come forward
According to Public Services and Procurement Minister Judy Foote, the government's first priority is to correct problems for underpaid and unpaid workers, and it will eventually turn to recouping taxpayer money that's been overpaid.
"We will get the money that's owed to the government, money that's been overpaid, when we get to those cases," she said.
"I encourage any employees who are getting more money than they are entitled to, maybe, put that money into a separate bank account."
She added that the government will work out a "respectful" process for overpaid workers to arrange either a lump-sum payment or repayment plan.