Question Period Note: Release of the annual Public Accounts of Canada report to the Receiver General for 2019-2020

Fraudulent use of contribution funds at Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) in DR Congo (DRC). DR Congo $104,232

• This reported amount is the result of a GAC-led investigation performed by GAC staff from headquarters, with support from the Field Support Unit in DRC.
• There was inadequate supporting documentation available to demonstrate that the workshops/trainings occurred. Major cash disbursements raised concerns about the local procurement process. Evidence gathered demonstrated irregularities over certain transactions.
• The JGI DRC office has a new policy of setting a maximum of $200USD for cash disbursements. Amounts over that limit will be paid by cheque, bank transfer or mobile transfer. This system has been in place and used by field staff since January 2019
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• A financial capacity-building activity was conducted at JGI on Jan 2020. Two staff from GAC attended in person the session. JGI Canada held an audit debrief session with the JGI staff and the team is committed to improving their financial system and risk management strategy
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• The loss amount was fully recovered in October 2020, as part of the end of project financial reporting process.

This fraud involved Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) in DR Congo (DRC). There was an inflated number of trainees and training duration as well as an inflated amount for transportation allocation. In addition, there was an inflated number of related party transactions with local suppliers/staff as well as falsified receipts for accommodation and meals. The project has officially ended in September 2020.

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