Four Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs) are advocating for a committee investigation into the Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP), asserting that it is mismanaged and possibly a misuse of taxpayer funds. Led by Dan Mazier, the Conservative health critic, the MPs criticized the program for wasting millions on high-priced consultants while neglecting the actual needs of Canadians affected by vaccine injuries. The letter addressed to Hedy Fry, the Liberal MP and chair of the Commons Health Committee, requested an emergency hearing, yet Fry has not responded, citing personal obligations affecting her availability. The criticisms followed a five-month investigation by Global News that scrutinized the program’s funding and administration.
The investigation revealed that the consulting firm Oxaro Inc., which was outsourced for VISP’s administration, received over $54 million from taxpayers. Alarmingly, only a fraction of that money—approximately $18.1 million—was allocated to support individuals injured by vaccines. Miscalculations on the part of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) led them to underestimate the number of claims, projecting only 40 annually, but over 3,317 applications have been submitted since the program’s inception. For many applicants, navigating the bureaucracy has been a challenge, with reports of unreachable case managers and unjust rejections.
Health officials have admitted to continuously assessing the program for areas of improvement. Despite longstanding advocacy for a vaccine injury support program, the government hastily developed VISP during the pandemic without adequately addressing the expected volume of claims, raising further concerns over its effectiveness. Darryl Bedford, president of the GBS-CIDP Foundation of Canada, underscored the urgent need to improve the program, emphasizing that timely support is critical for those severely affected by vaccine anaphylaxis and other related health issues.
The Global News report spotlighted not only the financial mismanagement but also organizational inefficiencies at Oxaro. Allegations surfaced surrounding the company’s work culture, which was criticized for being unprofessional and lacking seriousness for a program intended to assist individuals facing significant health challenges. Bedford remarked that the experience of these individuals requires immediate assistance rather than prolonged waiting periods for financial decisions.
Interestingly, concerns were also raised about why PHAC chose Oxaro over more established entities experienced in health claims processing. There was particular regret expressed at excluding reputable firms like Green Shield Canada, which has decades of experience in processing health benefit claims. Initial assessments from a committee that reviewed prospective bidders unanimously favored Oxaro, despite its thinner background in claims management.
As the governance of VISP comes under scrutiny, PHAC is reviewing the contract with Oxaro as it approaches renewal next year. The agency has also initiated a compliance audit in response to emerging questions about the program’s claims management. As public outcry and political pressure continue to mount, there is a pressing need for transparency and effective action to better support Canadians facing vaccine-related injuries and assure them of timely assistance.
