The RCMP was asked to investigate a First Nations health centre in the Maritimes over allegations half a million dollars that came from contribution agreements signed with the federal government was misappropriated, the Canadian Press has learned.
A newly released document lays bare a litany of troubling claims that came to light following complaints over the alleged mismanagement of the Woodstock First Nation Health Centre in New Brunswick.
The report is but one in a wider string of alleged wrongdoings by pharmacies, nursing stations and other service providers of the federal government's health plan for aboriginals uncovered over the course of a months-long investigation by the Canadian Press.
A July 2011 special examination report by Health Canada, which covers the period from April 2006 to March 2009, says auditors confirmed all but one of the allegations against the Woodstock First Nation Health Centre, prompting the department to refer the matter to the New Brunswick RCMP's commercial crime section.
"The allegations fall within the jurisdiction of, and have been forwarded to the J Division Commercial Crime Section for their review and action deemed appropriate," Sgt. Ghislain Marcil of the RCMP's commercial crime branch wrote in a letter to the chief of Health Canada's audit and accountability bureau in December 2011.
Health Canada auditors allege the former director of the health centre hired his friends and family members without open competitions, job offers or work descriptions. Most of them did not even bother showing up for work, the audit alleges, while others "had a poor understanding of their duties."
