OTTAWA — A claim from the federal Liberals’ revenue minister that a critical audit into federal COVID-19 spending was flawed and politically motivated saw the Conservatives blast the government Tuesday for challenging the independence of an officer of Parliament.
The surprise political drama saw auditor general Karen Hogan forced to defend her office’s probe — which is required by legislation — into the multibillion-dollar pandemic benefits programs that were rolled out within weeks after COVID-19 shut down nearly every aspect of public life in Canada.
